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yy . 









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FORDS, HOWARD A HULBERT.N.Y. 



POEMS 



OF 



i'AUL HAMILTON HAYNE 



Complete 1£tiitton 



WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS 




D. LOTIIKOP AND COMPANY 

32 FitANKi.iN Stukkt. counku of IIawlky 






CorYI'.K'.IIT, ISW, 

By I). LoriiKor ami Comi-anv, 



PRESS OF 

L. N. FREDERICKS. 
;U Ha-Nvlov St., Boston. 



COLONEL JOHN G. JAMES, 

PRESIDENT OF Till-: STATE A01!KT"LTl'UAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS, 

IN WHICH mo HAS taken so unselfish an interest, 

ARE 

AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. 



BiO(jir\iMii(\\L sKF/rriT. 



Tr lind littlo to do with liyron's suocoss ns a poet tl»:it. ho wns born 
in llu' inirplo of tin' iMiu'lisli aristtuTMoy ; or with tho (|u:ilityot' Shol- 
li'\ V Li'i'uiiis that hr wns the son of a Sir Timothy, w ho prith'd liiiiisidf 
oil a di'siH'iit from a \ou\x lino oi llritish s(|nir(.'s; oi- tiiiit Ali;oriioii 
S\\ inlturno's fatlu-r w :is a li;ii'oiiot. And yi't. if oui- |>oi'ts hnvo jvoiitlo 
Mood ill their xi'ins, otiu'r things hoinu' 0(|ii:il, wt> iircfcr that- tlu'y 
should li:i\o it. 

(!ood hirth, as a s^i'iioral tliiiiL!,', aru'iios o-ood hroiMliiii:,', ri'linonu'iit, 
odiu'ation, li\i'd sin-ial position, and a w ido uiaru'in o'i j;'oin.'rous loisiiros; 
all of which liaxo miioli to do with tho oiiti-omo c>f a poot's lifo. 

\N'o do not lu'lioM" that 'ronnyson would i'\ cr have' writlon as ho 
has, if it had horn his fortiino to lal)or for his daily broad. M\on had 
till' li'onius all bot'U tliori', tho w idi' loisuros would h.avo bi'on w ant iuL!;, 
and ho wi>uld havi' prodiioinl his jhhmiis, not as (un'tlio, at his '' unhastini:; 
oa-^o," — .absolutoly froo fri>iii all oxi^HMioo, — but undor tho ]>rossuro of 
a ^oad, which would ha\i' dostroyinl all thoir boaiitiful spontanoity. 

It is thorot'ori' to tho ad\aiitauo of our |ioot, iVvi i. IIamii.i'on IIavne, 1 
that ho had aiu'oslors. Il may sound somowhat iiuroi>ublioan i>orha])s, 
to iioar him wish, as lie doos in imio of his koiai soimots, that thi>so same 
ancestors li.ad been coiitout to st.iy in their fourdiiindrcd-year-old 
Sliro|>shiro Manor-lbMiso, onjovinu' tho |>ositi\c j^ood Mnu'laiid gave 
tluMU, rather than ii'o sailiiiL!; over se.as in (juest o'i what niiuht bo of 
i|iiostional>K' biaielit ; but we can forgive him, in view of his ;inti>codouts 
on this side the water, o\' which he may bo i>roud as well. His KiigTisli 
|irouenitoi-s set t led, early in ct>lonial days, in tliarlestiin. South Car- 
olina, and from tlu' lirst were of iiujiortanoo in tlio civil affairs of the 
young Slate. They furnished nolile pat riots, who shed thoir blood in 
lu\ oliitionary days, for the liberties o( their advtpled cmiutry. Tho 



BIOGIIAI'IIICAL SKETCH. 



name of the renowned statesman and orator, llobert G. Ilavne, who 
was \.\\v ])0('t's Illicit', lias l)ec'ome the ])()ss('ssi()ii of the country. 
While in the Senate of the llnited States, he was not afraitl to match 
his strength with Webster's, and he was governor of Sonth (^arolina 
when to be governor of the ralmetto State was an honor worth the 
winning. 

The subject of this sketch is the only child of Lieutenant Hayne, a 
naval officer, wlio died at sea when liis son was an infant ; his mother, 
recently deceased, Avas a Sonth Carolina lady, of good English and 
Scotch descent, lie was born in Charleston, Jannary 1st, 1880, and 
educated at Charleston College, from which he was graduated. Inher- 
iting the ju'estige of a noble name, high position, and a sufficient 
amount of wealth, the world was before the youth, and he was free to 
choose his jiath. From earliest boyhood his fondness for literature, 
particularly poetry, was ])ronounced, and there was everything around 
(Jiim to foster this \o\v. T\w Charleston of thirty-live years ago was a 
very different i)lace from the Charleston of to-day. The old Huguenot 
element, with its aristocratic names and associations, was strong, and 
the large admixture of good English blood helped to make its ])eople 
just a little exclusive. Boston herself did not gather the mantle of her 
self-importance in a more queenly manner about her tlian did this city 
by the sea. There was a decided literary element, too, among its 
higher classes. Legare's wit and scholarship brightened its social 
circle; Calhoun's deep shadow loomed over it from his plantation at 
Fort Hill ; Gihnore Simms's genial culture broadened its sym])athies. 
Tlu- latter was the iMaca-nns to a band of l)rilliant youths who used to 
meet for literary sup])ers at his beautiful home; and here it was that 
the love for old Elizabethan lore, and the stiuly of the classics of the 
English tongue, which has always characterized Mr. Hayne, found one 
of its best stimulants. 

No sooner had he graduated than he threw himself actively into 
literary life. He became connected Avith the journalisin of the city, 
and when the enthusiastic group of young scholars established a Lit- 
erary Monthly Magazine {liiisseWs) Mr. ILiyne was appointed its 
editor. 

His first volume of Poems was jiublished by the old house of Tick- 
nor & Co., Boston, in 1855, Avhen he was some twenty-live years old, 
his second in 1857, and his third in 18G0. These all met with such 
success as encouraged him to adoi)t fully a literary life as his vocation. 



BIOaiiAPIlKJAL SKETCH. vii 

1 



In the meantiine lie hud married Miss Mary Middletou Mioliel, of 
Charleston, the daughter of an eminent Freneli i)]iysician, who reeeived 
:i uold medal from Napoleon the Third, for services under the iirst 
Xaiioleon at the battle of Leijjsic. Of the poet's wife it is but the 
seantest justice to say tliat she has been the insi>iratioii, the stay, the 
joy of his life. No poet ever was more blessed in a wife, and she it is, 
who, by her self-reiumciation, her exquisite sympathy, her positive, 
material help, her bright hojjefulness, has made endural)le the losses 
•Mv\ trials that have crowded Mr. Ilayne's life. Those who know how 
to read between the lines can see everywhere the influence of this 
irradiating and sthnulating presence. 

Then came the disasters of the civil war. Mr. Ilayne, whoso 
health, delicate from his childhood, would not allow him to take field 
service, became an aid on Governor Pickens's staff. During the bom- 
bardment of his native city, his beautiful home was burned to the 
ground, and his large, handsome library utterly lost. Even the few 
valuables, such as the old family silver, which he succeeded in securing 
and removing to a bank in Colunil>ia for safe-keeping, were swe})t away 
in the famous "nuirch to the sea;" and there was nothing left for the 
liomeless and ruined man but exile among the " Pine Barrens " of 
(Georgia. There he established himself, in utter seclusion, in a veritablej 
cottage (or rather shanty., dignified at first as "Ilayne's Roost"), 
behind whose screens of vines, among the peaches, melons, and straw- 
berries of his own raising, he has fought the fight of life with uncom- 
j)laining bravery, and jiersisted in being lia])])v. 

Here, then, at "Cojise Hill," nested amid his greenery and his pines, 
our ])oet has li\ed for fifteen years, — content with little of this woi'ld's 
gear, hapi)y in his chosen work, writing as his frail health Avould jx'rmit, 
and in nuuily inde])endence. In 1872, the Lii)pincotts published his ! 
Legends and Lyrics., and in 187o his edition of his friend Henry Tim- 
rod's Poems a|)peared, accomi)anied by one of the most pathetic bio- 
graphical memorials of which literature gives an example. In 1875, 
lite Mountain of the Lovers was published. A Life of Gilmore Simms 
(still in jNIS.) was also written, with ^Memorial Sketches of Governor 
Hayne and Mr. Legare, — so that these years of seclusion have been 
well filled uj) Avith literary labor ; and during the past five years the 
nanu>s of not many writers have ap])eared nu)re frequently, perha]is, in 
the j)ages of our current literature, tlian tliat of the recluse of "Copse 
Hill." Here he has interpreted Nature, we think, with as clear an 



UlULiUAl'UlCAL SKETCH. 



insight ns the poet of Ryclal Mount. He lias made the niehincholy 
moanino's of liis Georgia pines sob tlii'dugh liis verses. He has oiveii 
voices to the Midnight Thunder ; to the Windless llain ; to tlie J/;/.s'- 
cadines of the Soutliern Forests; to tlieir Woodland l^hases ; to tlie 
Aspects of the Pines, as lias not been heretofore done. 

It were superfluous to vwXvv njtou any criticism of his jtoenis, nor is 
this the place for it. They are left with the reader, who, if he cauiiot, 
of himself, find therein the aromatic freshness of the woods, ^ — the 
swaying incense of the cathedral-like aisles of pines, — the sough of 
dying summer winds, — the glint of lonely pools, and the brooding- 
notes of leaf-hidden mocking-birds, — would not be able to discern 
them, however carefully the critic might })oint them out. 

M AUG A HE T J. PkESTON. 



C N T E N T S. 



YOUTHFUL POEMS. 



Til.' Will jUHlthc Wing 

'• The I.;iu,u'liiu<j; Hours befor 

Eve of the Bridal . 

My Father . 

Song .... 

Song .... 

liy the Grave 

Song of the Naiads 

Lethe . ... 



'J'he Kealm of Kest 
The Island in the South 

ode 

(jiueen (Salena 

The Poet's Trust in his Sorrow 



PA OH 

1 
1 



The Brook 

Nature the Consoler 

The Soul Conflict . 

The Presentiment . 

The Two Summers 

Lines 

Song 

On a Portrait . 

The Shallow . 

The Winter Winds ma 

Under Sentence . 

The Village Beauty 

After Death . 



Uy rave 



I'AOE 
14 

14 
IG 

l(i 

ii; 

IT 
18 
18 
18 
19 
II) 
20 
21 



SOXXETS. 



October 

I>ife and Death 

Shelley 

Poets of the Olden Time . 
'■ Xow while the Kear (iuard 
" Pent in this Common Sphere" 
" Between the Sunken Sun and 

Xew Moon "... 
Ancient :\Iyths .... 
O God ! What Glorious Seasons Bles; 

World ! . . . 



the 



'Ihv 



"Along the Path Thy Bleeding Feet" . 28 

" Too oft the Poet in Elaborate Verse " . 28 

^Mountain Sonnets 29 

Composed in Autumn 29 

(ireat Poets and Small . . . .30 

iVIy Stuily 30 

'I'o W. II. II 31 

Lines 31 

'■ An Idle Poet Dreaming" . ... 32 



D 1 1 .V 31 AT I ( ' S KETC 1 1 ES. 



Antonio Melidori . 

Allan Herbert 

From The Conspirator, an U 

Tragedy 
Experience in Poverty 
The True Philosophy . 
Love's Caprices 
Creeds .... 
The Universalitv of Grief 



npublished 



The Penitent . 
Dramatic Fragment 
lieward of Fickleness 
A Character . 
ISIorals of Desperation 
The Condemned . 
Antipathies . 
Misconstruction . 



COXTENTS. 



POEMS OF THE WAK. 



• My Mother-laud . 

Ode .... 

Charleston 

Stuart 
- Beyond the Potomac 

Beauregard's Appeal 

The Substitute 

Battle of Charleston Harbor 



i>5 Charleston at the close of 1S63 
G7 Scene in a Country Hospital 
71 Vicksburg — a Ballad . 
W-i-The Little \Thite Cilove 

73 , Stonewall Jackson 

74 -|' Sonnets .... 

75 M Oiu- Martyrs . 
77 V Forgotten 



LEGENDS AXD LYEICS. 



Daphles — an Argive Story 


. S9 


Aethra 


. 100 


Renewed 


. 100 


Krishna and his Three Handmaidens 


. 102 


Under the Pine iTo the Memory of Henr 


y 


Timrod) 


. 103 


A Pream of the South Winds . 


. 105 


In the Mist 


. 105 


A Svunmer Mood 


. 106 


Miibiight 


106 


The Bonny Brown Hand 


. 106 


Sonnets : 




The Cott.ige on the Hill . 


107 


November 


107 


Sylvan Musings — in Mav 


lOS 


Poets 


IdS 


Sonnet 


108 


The Phantom Bells .... 


109 


The Life Forest 


110 


Cloud Fantasies 


110 


Soiuiets 


110 


Fire Pictures 


111 


An Anniversary 


111 


From the Wooils 


lU 


Dolce far Xiente 


11.-. 




lU! 


By the Autumn Sea .... 


lis 




lis 


TheKiver 


137 


The Story of Glaueus the Thessalian 


l:5S 


The Nest 


142 


Not Dead 


142 


Sonnet 


143 


Marguerite 


143 


Apart 


144 


The Lotos and the Lilv 


144 


■Windless Rain 


146 


" In t'troque Fidelis " . 


146 


Nature Betrothed and Wedded . 


147 


Chloris 


147 


Fortunio 


148 


A Feudal Pictme ..... 


LW 


The Warniug 


152 



Drifting 152 

Sonnets 153 

Ode to Sleep 154 

Song 156 

Hopes and Memories 156 

Widderin's Race 156 

October 162 

Will 163 

Here and There 163 

Welcome to Winter . . . . . 164 

To My Mother 164 

Soiniets liv'. 166 

' The Mountain of the Lovers . . .166 

The Vengeance of the Goddess Diana . . 17S 

The Solitary Lake 1S7 

The Voice in the Pines • . . . 188 - 

Visit of the Wrens 188 

Morning 190 

Golden Dell 191 

Aspect of the Pines 191 

Midsummer in the South .... 192^ 

• Cloud Picttrres 193 

Sonnet 194 

In the Pine Barrens — Smiset . . . 194 

.Sonnet 195 

The AVoodland Phases 195 

After the Tornado 195 

In the Bower 196 

AMience? 196 

Sonnet 197 

Violets 198 

By the Grave of Henry Timrod . . 198 

Sonnets 200 

Ariel 200 

The Cloud Star 201 

Sweet heart. Good bye ! . . . . 201 

Sonnet . . 202 

Frida and her Poet 202 

Preexistence 201 

Sonnet 205 

A Thousand Years from Now . . . 205 

Sonnet 206 

Thunder at :\Iidnight 206 



COXTENTS. 



On the Death of Canon Kingsley 
When all has heen said andilone 
The Vision in the Valley 
The Arctic Visitation . 
The Wind uf Onset 



207 

208 
208 
2(lil 
210 



The Visit of Mahnioud Ben Siileini to 

Parailise 

My Daufihler 

Our "Humuiiiit'-bird" . . , , 



XI 



210 
215 
215 



LATER POEMS. 



Unvoilod 
Muscadines . 
In a Spring Harden 
In Degree 

The Skeleton Witness . 
Storm Fragments . 
Above the Storm . 
Underground 
*— The Dryad of the Pine 
AVelconie to Frost 
The Tine's Mystery 
To a Bee .... 
The lirst Mocking Bird in Sprin 
The Red and the White Kose 
Before the Mirror 
Two Kpoehs . 
AVind from the Fast 
Peach P.Ki()ms 
The Awakening 
Love's Autunui 
The Spirea 
Coquette 

Skating .... 
The World within us . 
Forest Quiet . 
The :\Iocking Bird, 
A Storm in the Distance 
The Vision by the Sea . 
The \'isionary Face 
The Kose and the 'J'horn 
The Ked Lily . 
Lake Winiiipiseogee 
Lake Mists 

The Inevitable Calm . 
The Dead Look . 
Jetsam .... 
Fameless (J raves . 
Winter Kose . 
Tristram of the Wood . 
Hints of Spring 
The Hawk . 
Over the Waters . 
The True Heaven . 
The Breezes of June . 
A Mountain Fancy 
Absence and Love 
The Fallen Pine-Cone . 
Stern Truths Transfigured 
Distance .... 
Horizons .... 
In the Gray of the Evening 



219 
224 



l'2!l 
22!) 
229 
230 
231 



236 
236 
237 
237 
238 
23! t 
230 
210 
2411 
241 
2U 
242 
242 
21:.' 



214 
21,-) 
21.-) 
21(; 
247 



248 
249 
249 
249 
2S0 



The Vision at Twilight 

An Hour Too Late 

" Too Low and yet too High ! " . 

The Lordship of Corfu 

Tallulah Falls .... 

The JNIeadow Brook 

The Valley of Auostan 

T\TO Songs 

Sonnets: 

I. Fresluiess of Poetic Pe 
tion ... 

II. Laocoon ... 

HI. At last 

IV. A Phantom in the Cloud 

V. Japouicas 

VI. The Usurper 

VIl. December Sonnet 

VIIl. A Comparison . 

IX. Fate, or God ? . 

X. Sonnet 

XL Earth Odors — after Kain 

XII. Sonnet 

XIII. Poverty 

XIV. Waste. 

XV. A Morning after Storm 

XVI. Dead Loves 

XVI I. Nature at Ease . 

XVIII. TheCnydian Oracle 

XIX. The Hyacinth . 

XX. The Wood Far Inland 

XXI. Sonnet 

XXII. Magnolia Gardens . 

XXIII. England 

XXn'. Disappointment 

XXV. The Last of the Koses 

XX^■I. The Axe and the Pine 

XXVII. Betrothal Night 

XXVIII. " The Old Man of tlie St 

XXIX. Two Pictures . 

XXX. The .Alight have been 

XXXI. Night Winds in Winter 

XXXII. To the Querulous Poets 

XXXIII. In the Porch 

XXXIV. The Phantom Song . 
XXXV, Small Griefs and Great 

XXXVI. The Shallow Heart ! . 
XXXVII. The Stormy Night . 

Personal Sonnets : 

I. To Henry W. Longfellow 
II. To George H. Boker . 



250 
251 
251 
251 
253 



258 

258 

258 

258 

259 

259 

25!) 

260 '' 

260 

260 

261 

261 

261 

262 

262 

262 

262 

263 

263 

263 

264 

264 

264 

265 

265 

265 

265 

266 

266 

266 

267 

267 

267 

268 



268 
268 



VOM'ENTS. 



Personal Sonnets : 




In Memoi 


iam : 




111. To Algernon Charles Swiu- 




111. 


Dean Stanley 


313 


bunio 


•J60 


IV. 


Hiram 11. Benner 


31-1 


IX. To Kilgar Fawcett . 


i;i>;i 


V. 


W. Gihnore Simms . 


315 


V. Carlyle 


•2{>'.t 


VI. 


Dickens .... 


320 


VI. To Jean Ingelow 


liTO 


VII. 


To Bayard Taylor beyond us 


320 


• VII. To.M. I.F 


:;T(i 


Vlll. 


Bayard Taylor (upon death) 


321 


Macdonald's Kaid 


i;7i 


IX. 


Bichard II. Dana, Sen. . 
Bryant l^ead ! . . . 
The Pole of Death . 
The Death of Hood . 


321 


The Battle of King's Mountain 
The Hanging of Black Cudjo . 
Charleston Ketaken 


i;74 

'J 7 s 
-'8t> 


X. 

XI. 
XII. 


322 
322 
322 


To ihe Anthor of "the Victorian Poets " . 


2!S3 


Meditative and lleligious : 




Ilv^ra 


lis." 


I. 


Christ on Earth . 


323 


Below and Above 


L'Si 


11. 


Harvest Home . 


324 


The Woodland Grave 


2S4 


III. 


Reconciliation . 


325 


A Character 


2S4 


IV. 


A Vernal Hymn 


325 


Lyric of Action 


LIS.') 


V. 


Christian Exaltation 


32G 


By a Grave 


L'S.") 


VI. 


Solitude ; in Youth and Age 


32G 


Severance 


L'SCi 


VII. 


Denial 


320 


Two (J raves 


■JST 


Vlll. 


Lesson of Submission 


327 


The World 


■-'ST 


IX. 


The Supreme Hour . 


327 


The May Sky 


l'6i8 


X. 


A Christmas Lyric 


327 


A Lyrical Picture 


L'SS 


XL 


The Pilgrim 


328 


Lamia L'nveiled 


liS!) 


XII. 


Penucl 


328 


liachel 


i;8;i 


Xlll. 


Patience .... 


328 


The Snow Messengers 


L".UI 


XIV. 


The Latter Peace 


329 


To Alexander II. Stephens . . . • 


2M.! 


XV. 


Gautama .... 


329 


The Enchanted Mirror .... 


L'!l."> 


XVI. 


Christ 


330 


The Imprisoned .Sea-AVinds 


l."J-l 


XVII. 


A Winter Hynni 


330 


Blanche and Nell 


•J!»4 


XVIIl. 


The Three Urns 


330 


The Dark 


2;t."i 


XIX. 


On the Decline of Faith . 


331 


In the Studio 


lmk; 


XX. 


The Ultiuuite Trust . 


332 


A\'ashington 


L'!H> 


XXI. 


A Little While I Fain A\ouU 


I 


Ii: Ambush 


j;)7 




Linger Yet 


332 


South Carolina to the States of the North 


'.'!)- 


XXII. 


Twilight JMonologue . 


333 


The Stricken South to the North 


U'liO 


XXIII. 


The Shadow of Death 


. 334 


Tlie Keturn of Peace 


oOO 


XXIV. 


Finis 


334 


Yorktown Centennial Lyric 


.■!04 


XXV. 


The Shadows on the AVall 


335 


On the Persecution of the Jews in Russia 


no,-> 


XXVI. 


Consummatum Est . 


336 


Assassination 


30l> 


XXVIl. 


The Broken Chords . 


337 


England 


307 


XXVIII. 


The Rift Within the Lute 


337 


To Longfellow 


308 


XXIX. 


In Harbor . . . • 


337 


'■ Philip my King" . . . • . 


308 


XXX. 


Forecastings 


338 


A Plea for the Gray 


300 


XXXL 


Appeal to Nature of the Soli 




Union of Blue and Gray .... 


310 




tary Heart 


338 


The King of the PloAV 


311 


Poems foi 


Special Occasions : 




In Memoriam : 




I. 


To the Poet Whittier 


339 


I. Longfellow Dead 


312 


II. 


To O. AV. Holmes 


339 


II. On the Dcat h of Presitlent (iar- 




III. 


To Emerson 


. 340 


lield 


312 


IV. 


To lion. R. G. H. 


340 



iiit:moik)Us poems. 



A'alerie's (\^nfession 313 

A Meeting of the Birds . . . . .■!44 

A Bachelor Bookworm's Complaint . . 346 

Coquette and Her Lover .... 348 



Senex to his Friend 

The Observant " Eldest" Speak; 

Lucifer's Deputy . . . . 



351 
351 
362 



CONTENTS. 



rOKMS Foil cniLDKEN. 



Little Xellie in the Prison . 




:'..^)7 


The CliiUlreu 




:;,-)!) 


Will iiml I 




■.m 


Jamie ;uiil liis Motlur .... 




.■500 


Tlie Tliree Copeclis .... 




:ini 


The Reason Why 




.•JGl 


The Sillten Slioe 




3i;2 


Tlie lJla<;Ic Destrier .... 




:i(U 


Tlie Adventures of Little I'.ob Bonnyi 


ace 


:Mir> 


Kiss me, Katie ! 




;j(;« 


Caged 




."56!) 


Little Lottie's Grievance 




;!(;9 


Anew Version of Why the Uobin's Breast 




is Red 




:;70 


The Little Saint 




.•;70 


A new Philosophy, or, Star Showers 


ex- 




plained 




oTl 



Baby's First Word 
The Chameleon 
Flying Furze . 
The New Sister 
Hop, Skip, and Jump, 

sonified 
Dancing . 
Motes 

The Ground S(iuirrel 
Artie's Amen 
Three Portraits of Boy 
Birds .... 
The Dead Child and the M 
The Little Grand Duches 
Koly Poly 
The Imprisoned Innocents 



a Queer 



Trio per- 



ig-bird 



381 



LI^T OF II.LLT.STRATrONS. 



PAOE 

PoKTH.viT OF Pai'l HAMILTON IIayne Froidispiece 

Home ok Paul II. Hayne xvii 

Come ! Come ! and Seek us Here 5 

We Reached an Isle 8 

(iLADLY I Hail these Solitudes 11 

Between the Sunken Sun and the New Moon 27 

Tins IS MV Would . 30 

Paul H. Hayne's Birthplace 40 

The Canvas Speaks 46 

Come, Sweetheart, Hear Me 53 

Almighty Nature the First Law of (ioD 59 

They Arose with the Sun 73 

The Flowers that Wreathe my Humble Hearth 76 

And by their Favorite Stream SSI 

Lb\gues of Golden Fields and Streams 96 

yjicES Low and Sweet 101 

'he Moon, a Ghost of Her Sweet Self 106 

^Upveiled in Yonder Dim Ethereal Sea 109 

Countless Coruscations Glimmer 112 

There Cometh a Dream of the Past to Me 118 

Those Bristling Kocks 125 

IIi: Turned to Wave "Farewell" 132 

On the Fateful Streamlet Polled 138 

View us White-IIoijed Lilies 115 

King of a Realm of Fius and icy Floes 149 

Our Hopes in Youth 156 

No, No! Stanch Widderin 161 

Every Deepest Copse 168 

The Kingdom's Pkinceliest Youth 174 

A MoNSTEK meet FOR Tartarus , . 183 

The Woven Light and Su^ujows 190 



\\ I 



LL^T OF ILJASTL'ArJuy.^. 



UvtAVr AND HkAU MK W'IIKRU TIIK Wri.D Fl.OWKKS (illOW 

\\ 111! i: Sauntkiunc; '['iiuoii;!! riii: ('i;o\\i>i;i) Sriu'.i'. 

On VllSl'KUMlillT Ol.I) WlNI'EK L'AMIO . 

llAvio I Nor l\>i.i,()\vi;i> 

SoiiKK Si:i'I'i;mui:k 

(> M Asii:i!ii I. \\ iNi> ANi> ('uri;i 

All! M\NV A(i\ii.\\r l,o\iii llii; W I'.ii, . 
Willi, i: (iiiiMi .^ l><v\VN I'lii' Mi)ciM.ir Uav . 
(* 'rwiiicii 1' Sk\ oi' Mii.i.ow (;kav 

(ii'Kci.r, (iru(;i.i\ Ciiici.i: 

Now Skuicn'ic Naitui'. 

Winds! auk riuv W im>s.- 

"PWAS A MOKN (\>l,l> \M) (JkAV .... 

Til AT Man mi .r |)ii: 

'rilKKK llrNMUICn Nolil.K \ I'.SSKLS 

Wk Ti'UN, My Low: ani> I 

To TasS ONCK MOKIC o'lCK llAMrsiUUK's iMoi'Nl'AlN 

Viu Walk My StidioV Modest 1{ou>!d . 

\\ m;-\\ \srri> Lands 

(>i.i> l'\>sioNs M \Y i;i; riKc;i:D i>i" r>i.o(.>D 
I'vii: MiMouY Ni'.AK Is 

(>'i:K All. Illi: I'liAllHAN I' l.ANl>, I'llls 1 1 \ KV i:s I' 1 > \ Y 

O W r via Winds! 

My 'riiori;iirs aki: Wandkkinii .... 

Foi; Fi i,L FiVK JSki'o.nds 

Ni'i.i.iK CLAsruD uis Neck 

.My iSuoK, Fata . . .... 

Katik, Fkkti'y Katik, Kiss Mio .... 

0am iNii ! I Fovi; I r 

1\0L\ FoLYs Just AwjoiKNi-D .... 



Ii:i 



197 
•JO I 
•-M0 
•221 
222 
233 
23(3 
213 
2:)0 
2,"),-) 
2(i2 
2()G 
273 
27(i 
2Sl 
2St 
291 
29(5 
;{()3 
30!) 
317 
324 
330 

33r) 

3-19 
358 
3R3 
308 
37"i 
3S2 


























lU'ME ui' Tail Hamilton llAVMi, 
"C'»l't*i' Hill," Ciii. 



YOlTllFFIL POEMS. 



1850-18G0. 



THE WILL AXh THE WlSC. 
'IVj li;iv(; till! will to soar, bul, iioL the 

will'^S, 

i;y(!S fixed fon;vcr on a starry liei^lit, 
Whonoc stately shapes of grand iina;,'in- 

iii.t;s 
Flash down tlie si>l(!ndors of injijciiaj 

li-ht; 

And yet to laek the charm that makes 

tlicni onrs, 
'i'he obedient vassals of that eon<|ii(!rin.t5 

spell, 
Whose omnipresent and ethereal powers, 
llneirele Heaven, nor fear to enter Jlell; 

This is the doom fif 'I'antaliis — the 
thirst 

l'"or beauty's Vjalmy IVinnt to (pieneli the 
fires 

(Jf tlie wild passion that our souls have 
nurst 

111 hopeless x'rornptlngs — unfuHilled de- 
si nis. 

^'et would 1 rather In the outward stat*; 
Of Song's immortal temple lay me 

down, 
A beggar Ijasking by that radiant gate 
'i'han bend beneath the liaughtiest em- 

Ijiie's crown! 

For sometimes, through tlie bars, my 

ravished eyes 
Ifave caught brief glimpses of a life 

divine, 
And seen a far, mysterious rapture rise 
Beyond tlie veil that guards the inmost 

shrine. 



" '/'//a; lac a II I no nouns iseeoue 
II Ell feet:' 

Thk launliiiig Hours before her feet, 
Are scattering spring-time roses, 
i\iid the voices in her soul are sweet 
As music's mellowed closes; 
All hopes and passions, heavenly 

born. 
In h(;r, have met together, 
And .Joy diffuses round her morn 
A mist (jf gold(!ii weather. 

As o'er lii'i' cheek of delicate dyes, 
'J'iie blooms of childhood hover. 
So do the tranced and sinless eyes, 
All childhood's heart discover; 
Full of a dreamy ]iappin(!ss, 
Willi rainbow fancies laden, 
\\'hos(! arch of ])roniise grows to bless 
Her spirit's Ijeauteous Adenne. 

She is a being born to raise 

Those undefiled emotions. 

That whisper of our sunniest days, 

And most sincere dc^votions; 

In her, we see renewed and bright, 

That phase of earthly stf)ry. 

Which glimmers in the morning light, 

fjf (iod's exceeding glory. 

Why, in a life of mortal cares. 

Appear th<!se heavr^nly faces, 

Wliy, on the verge of darkened years, 

Tiiese dear, ceUistial graces ? 

"I"is but to chci^r the soul that faints 

With pure and blest evangels, 

'i'o prove, if Heaven is rich with saints, 

'I'liat ICarth may liav*- her angels. 



YOUTHFUL FUKMti. 



Kiuuighl 'lis not lor iiu' ti> pray 
'riiat on hcv life's swoet rivor, 
'Tho calmiu'ss of a virgin day 
May rost, ami lost fort'vi'r; 
1 know a sinaniiaii (.ionius st anils 
Uosiilo Ihoso wators lowly. 
And labors with (•th('r(>al hands 
To kci'p tlu'iii luiri' and holy. 



AT/-; ()/•• Tin: /unn.iL. 

YksI it lias oonio; tlu- straiim\ o'ornias- 

toring honr. 
WluMi buoyant liopos, and ton<lor, (roni- 

ulons fears 
8way tho fnll heart with a dividod power. 
The flush of sunshine, and the touch of 

tears! 

Oh! for a s]h>11 to ehann awny thy 

eare. 
As 1 could eharni, were I but near thee 

now 
To I'hido coy tiiekerings of that half ile- 

spair 
Of virginal shame upon thy downeast 

brow ; 

A liiful gloom "mid blushes of bright joy. 
Like those transparent clouds in snnnuer 

days. 
That east their transient shadows of alloy 
Across the noontide's else too dazzling 

blaze; 

Yet. from tho fair hills of this foreign 

shore. 
I waft thee benedictions on the wind, 
Hopes that a peaceful bliss forevermore 



A room where sunset's glory deep, 

though dim, 
Clirds thy rich chamber with luxurious 

grace, 
Koiinils the fair outline of each delicate 

iindi. 
And crowns with chastened ray thine elo- 

t|ueiu face. 

In shimnuM-iug folds thy raiments soft 
and rare, 

.Swell with the passionate heavings of thy 
breast. 

O'er whose young loveliness, the en- 
tranced air. 

Languidly breathing, seeks voluptuous 
rest. 

Thy hand — (in two l)rief hotu's no longer 

thine) — 
(ilcanis near a gossamer curtain, stirred 

with sighs. 
And the full, star-like tears begin to 

shine 
In the blue heaven of thy bewildering 

eyes. 

Tears for the girlhood, almost past 

away. 
Its innoceiu life, its wealth of tender 

lore. 
Tears for the womanhood, whose opening 

day. 
May not reveal the untried scene before. 

Not bitter tears I for him thou lov'st is 

true. 
And all thy being quivei-s into tlame. 
A swift delicious tlame that thrills thee 
through. 
:May rule the gracious empire of thy mind. WUene'er thy memory lingei-s on his 

name. 
Aiul blessing thus, the dreary distance 

dies. Ev'n now 1 see thee turn thy timid head. 

And in a clearer than Agrippa's glass. Luxuriant-locked, towards a dim retreat. 

The enamoreil fancy. — what pale vis- '' Whore twilight shadows veil thy bridal 

ions rise. bod. 

Brightening to shape and beauty ere they And golden gloom and louder silouce 
pass? meet. 



MY FATHER — SONG. 



3 



MY FATHEIl. 

My father! in the vague, mysterious 
past, 
My boyish thoughts have wandered 

o"er and o'er, 
To thy lone grave upon a distant shore, 
'I'lii- wanderer of the waters, still at last. 

Never in <-liil.llioo(l have I blithely 
sprung 
To catch my father's voice, or climb 

his knee; 
lb- was a constant pilgrim of the sea. 
And died upon it when his boy was 
young. 

Fie perished not in conflict nor in 
flame, 
Xo laurel garland rests upon his 

tomb; 
Yet in stern duty's path he met liis 
doom ; 
A life heroic, though unwed to fame! 

P'irst in vague depths of fancy, scarce- I 
defined, i 

Love limned his wavering likeness on 

my soul. 
Till through slow growths it waxed a 
perfect whole. 
Of clear conceptions, briglitening heart 
and mind. 

Jlis careless bearing and Ids manly 
face, 
His cordial eye; liis firm-knit, stalwart 

form, 
Fitted to breast th<; fight, the wreck, 
the storm; 
The sailor's frankness and the soldier's 
grace. 

In dreams, in dreams we've mingled, and 
a swell 
Of feeling mightier for the eyes' 

eclipse. 
The music of a blest Apocalypse, 
Thrilled through my spirit with its mys- 
tic spell : 



Ah, then! ofttimes a sadder scene will 
rise, 
A gallant vessel througii the mist- 
bound day, 
Lifting her spectral spars above the bay, 
Gloomily swayed against gray glimmer- 
ing skies. 

O'er the di)n billows tluuidering. peals a 
boom 
Of the deep gun that l)urstcth as a 

knell, 
AVhi'ii the brave tender to tin- l)rave 
farewell — 
And strong arjii.s Iteai- a coimade to the 
tomb. 

The opened sod: a sorrowing band be- 
side — 
One rattling roll of masketry, and 

tlwn, 
A man no more among his fellow-men. 
Darkness his chamber, and the earth his 
bride, 

My father sleeps in jx'ace; perehance 
more blest 
Than some he left to mourn him, and 

to know 
The liitter blight of an enduring woe, 
Longing (how oft I) with him to l>e at 
rest. 



SOXG. 



Fly. swiftly fly 
Through yon fair sky, 
O puqde-pinioned Hours I 
And bring once more the balmy night, 
When from her lattice, silvery bright, 
Love's beacon-star — her taper — shines 
Between those dark manorial pines, 
Above the myrtle-bowers. 

Fly, breezes, fly. 

And waft my sigh 
With love's warm fondness fraught, 
'Twill stir my lady's languid mood, 
AVhere, in ln-r verdurous solitude, 



YOUTHFUL POEMS. 



She sits and thinks, a ni(ionli<;lit grace 

Cast o'er her beauleous brow and face, 

Tuuelifd by a iMssiouate lhoui;litI 

(ilide, rivulet, glide 
Willi whispering tide. 
Through eoverls low and deep. 
To woo her with the airy call. 
The nnisie taint, the t'ar-olt' tail, 
Of fairy streams in fairy elinies. 
Or pleasant lapse of fairy rhymes, 
t^ofl as her breath in sleep. 

Fly. swiftly tly 
'rhnnigh you ealin sky, 
(.) geutle-hearted dove! 
And pausing on her favorite tree, 
ISlunnnr your plaint so tenderly. 
That, Itorn of that sweet lone, a eharm 
Her very heart of hearts may warm 
With rosy bliss ot lo\e. 

l-"ly. swiftly tly 
Through yiui fair sky, 
O inirple-pinioned Hours! 
And bring onee more the balmy night. 
When from her lattiee, silvery briglit. 
Love's beaeon-star — her taper — shines 
Between those dark manorial pines 
Above the nivrlle-bowersl 



Ho! tVieh me the winccup! till \\\^ to the 

biim! 
For my heart has grown eold. and my 

vision is dim. 
And I fain would bring bai'k for a mo- 
ment the glow. 
The swift passion that age has long 

ehilled with its snow : 
llo! teteh me the Mineenp! the red 

liquor gleams. 
With a promise to waken youth's rapture 

of dreams. 
And I'll drain the bright draught for that 

]n'omise divine. 
Though Death. Death the speetre, should 

hand me the w ine. 



"Tis not life that I live, for the blood- 

(au'rents glide 
Through my wan shrunken veins in so 

sluggish a tide. 
That my heart droops and withers; what! 

///'( call yon this ? 
O! rather, consumed by one keen thrill 

of bliss. 
AVould i die with youth's glory revivified 

round me. 
The deep eyes that blessed, and the white 

anus that bt)uud me; 
O! rather than brood in this dusk of de- 
sire. 
("Sink down, like you marvellous sunset, 

all lire. 
The soul clad w ith w iugs, and the brain 

steeiied in light : 
Then come. i»oli'ut wizard! I call on thy 

nuglit. 
Ih'calhe a magical mist o'er the I'avago of 

Time, 
luill back the sad years \o the Ihish of my 

prime. 
And I'll drain thy bi-ight draught for 

that \ isiou di\ine. 
Though Death. Death tlu' Siu'ctre. should 

hand me the wine! 



liY rilK (.'/MCA'. 
[Extraol fioiii an luitiiiishod iKirrative jioein.] 
Titis is the place — I in-ay thee, friend. 
Leave me alone with that dread grief, 
Whose raven wings o'erarch the grave. 
Closed on a life how sad and brief I 

Already the young vioKns bloom 

On the light sod that shnuids her 

form. 
And Summer's awful sunshine strikes 
Incongruous on the s])irit's storm. 

She died, and did not know that I, 
Whose heart is breaking in this gloom. 
Had shrined her love, as inlgrinis shrine 
A blossom from some saint Iv tomb. 



Suxa UF THE NAIADS— LETHE. 



And, ah! indeed, it wfl.s a tomb. 
The tomb of Hope, so gliastly-gray, 
Whence sprung tliat flowiM- of loxc that 

grew 
Serenely on the JIojx-'s decay. 

A i)allid flower that bloomed alone, 
With no warm light to keep it fair, 
IJut nurtured Ijy the tears that fell, 
P^eii from the clouds of our despair. 

She piTJslHM], and lirr palinil sdui 
I'assed to (jod's rest, nor did she know 



I kept the faith we could not plight 
In honor, or in peace below. 

But, Love! at last, all, all is clear. 
You see the llame of that tierce fate. 
Which blazed between my life, and 

yours. 
And left them both — how desolate! 

And well you coniiin-hend tliat now 
iMy heart is breaking where I stand, 
Ihit 'mid the ruin, shrines its faith, 
A relic from love's Holy Land. 









'-^oL'i'a^i 



^v^i-/<y / / 'III 



"(linn! coiMc ! ;iii(l .seek us here, 

111 tlii-sc CM,! (Iceps." 



KONC; OF rilF. .\.I/.I/}S. 

Gay is our crystal iloor, 

IJeneath the wave, 
With strange gems flaming o'er 

The Genii gave; 
Sweet is the purijle light 
That haunts our lia])])y siuht. 
And low and sweet tJie lulling strains 

that sigli 
Willie the tides ]iause, and the faint 
/ephyrs die. 

Come! come! and seek us here, 

In these cool dc^eps, 
Where all is cahnly fair. 

And sorrow sleei)s : 
Thy Imrning brow shall rest, 
Couched on a tend(M' breast, 
And. charmed lo bliss, thy soul sliall 

catch tlie gleams 
Of iTiystic glories in Elysian dreams. 



Come! ere the earth grows drear, 

The tempests rave. 
And the fast-failing year 

Is nigh its grave: 
Thy sununer, too, is past, 
Wouldst thou have peace at last ? 
C)! here she dwells .serenely in still caves, 
And waits to woo thee underneath the 
waves. 



LET inc. 

A Dr.Mi:. dark region thn)U'4h whose 

desolate heart 
Creeps a dull liver with a stagnant 

flood ; 
Its skies are sonibre-lried, and dreaiT 

clouds, 
X(j wind hath ever stirred, hang low and 

dim 



6 



YOUTHFUL POEMS. 



Above the barron winxllamls ; all things 

droDp 
In slmnbor: tho little willow stoops to 

kiss 
'I'lu' waves, but not a ripple nun-mnrs 

baek 
Us salutation, and wan starlike flowers 
Yield u white radiance to the failing 

sense, 
And odors pregnant with the elianns of 

rest. 
And glamour of Oblivion; all things 

ilroo]i 
In sluuiber; tor whato'er hath passed the 

botuuls 
Of this niiraeulous kingdom, bird or 

beast, 
Men lured froui action, or soul-siek of 

life. 
Weary and heart sore, maids in love's 

despair. 
Or mothers stricken by their tirst-born's 

crime — 
All sink without a struggle to deep 

peace. 
Protie in the gleam the river easts abroad, 
A gleam more pallid than the light of 

Hades. 
Lie those who sought this region ages 

since ; 
Their upturned brows are smooth, and 

tranced with calm. 

And i>u their shadowy lips a waning 

smile 
Fitfidly glin\mers; round them rest the 

fonns 
Of savage beasts; the lion all uniu>rved. 
Drowsy and j^assioidess, his huge limbs 

relaxed. 
And curved to lines of languor: the tierce 

pard 
Tamed to a breathless quiet, whilst afar. 
Gloom the gaunt shapes of mighty brutes 

of eld. 
The world's primeval tenants; all things 

droop 
In slumber: even the sluggish river's 

flow 



Sounds like the dying surges of the sea 
To ears far inland, or the feeblest sigh 
Of winds that faint on lofty moutitaln- 

tops. 
This is the realm — '• Oblivion" — this 

the stream 
Which mortals have called — " Lethe!'' 



THE REALM OF HE ST. 

In the realm that Nature boundeth 
Are there balmy shores of peace. 
Where no passion-torrent soundeth, 
And no storm-wind seeks release '? 
Rest they 'mid the waters golden. 
Of some strange untravelled sea, 
AVhere low, halcyon airs have stolen. 
Lingering rouml them slumbrously ? 

Shores begirt with purple hazes, 
Mellowed by gray twilight's beams. 
Whose weird curtains shroud the mazes, 
Wandering through a realm of dreams ; 
Shores, where Silence wooes Devotion, 
Action faints, and echo dies. 
And each peact>-emranced emotion 
Feeds on quiet mysteries. 

If there be, O guardian Master, 
Genius of my life and fate. 
Bear me from the world's disaster. 
Through that kingdom's shadowy gate; 
Let me lie beneath its willows. 
On the fragrant, flowering strand. 
Lulled to rest by breezeless billows. 
Thrilled with airs of Elfln-land. 

Slund>er. flushed with faintest dreamings; 
Deep that knows no answering deep, 
Unprofaned by phantom-seemings, 
— Mockeries of Protean sleep: — 
Noiseless, timeless, half forgetting, 
May that sleep Elysian be. 
While serener tides are setting. 
Inward, from the roseate sea. 

llarki to mine a voice is calling. 
Sweet as tropic winds at night. 
Gently dying, faintly falling 
From some marvellous mystic height, 



THE ISLAND IN THE SOUTH. 



Trotiblod Tlioiijilifs unliallowcd riot 
l]y its waiKicriii"; iilaiiioitr liisscd, 
Ft'cls a cliarm of sacred quiot 
Folil it, like enchanted mist. 

"There's a realm, thy footsteps noaring," 
[Thus the voice to mine replies, | 
•• Where the heavy heart despairing, 
lireathes no more its life in sighs; 
"Tis a realm, imperial, stately, 
Kefuge of dethroned Years, 
<'alm as midnight, towering greatly, 
riii'ough a moonlit veil of tears. 

■' 'I'hougli an empire, freedom reigneth, 
Kingly brow, and subject knee, 
Mach with what to each i)ertaineth. 
Slumbering in e(iuality; 
"i'is a sleep, divorced from dreamings, 
Deep that knows no answering deep, 
I'nprofaned by pliantom-seemings — 
Noiseless, wondrous, timeless sleep. 

'* On its shores are weeping willows, 
Action faints, and Echo dies, 
And the languid dirge of billows, 
Lulls with opiate symphonies; 
But beside that murnuirous ocean 
All who rest, repose in sooth. 
And no more the stilled emotion 
Stirs to joy, or wakens ruth. 

" Thou s/inlt gain these blest dominions, 
Thou .s/iiiU find this peaceful ground, 
Shaded by Oblivion's pinions, 
Startled by no mortal sound ; 
Noiseless, timeless, ali, forgetting, 
Shall thy sleep Elysian be, 
While eternal tides are setting 
Inward from that mystic sea." 



THE ISLAND IX THE SOUTH. 

The ship went down at noonday in a 

calm. 
When not a zephyr broke the crystal sea. 
We two escaped alone: we reached an 

isle 
Wliereon the water settled languidly 



In a long swell of music; luminous skies 
O'erarched the place, and lazy, broad 

lagoons 
Swept inland, with the iioughs of plan- 
tain trees 
Trailing cool shadows through the dense 

repos(!; 
All roiuxl ai)()ut us floated gentle airs, 
And odors that crept upward to the 

sense; 
Like delicate pressures of voluptuous 

thought. 
I, witli a long bound, leapt upon the 

shore 
Shouting, but she, pavilioned in dark 

locks. 
Sobbed out thanksgiving; 'twixt the 

woild and us. 
Distance that seemed Eternity outrolled 
Its terrible barriers; on the waste a Fate 
Stood up, and stretching its blank hands 

abroad 
Muttered of desolation. Did we weep. 
And groaning cast our foreheads in the 

dust ? 
So it lidd been, but in each other's eyes 
Smiled a new world, dearer than that 

which rose 
Beneath th(> lost stars of the faded West. 
That very morn the white-stoled priest of 

God 
Had blessed us with the church's choicest 

prayers, 
And tlies(; did gird us like a sapphire 

wall 
When the floods threatened, and the 

ghastly doom 
Moaned itself impotent; free wc were to 

l0V(! 

To the full scope of ]iassion : a few smis, 
And in the deep recesses of the woods 
We built ourselves a cabin; the dim spot 
Was fortressed by the tropic's giant 

growths. 
Luxuriant Titans of a hundred years; 
And the vines, laced and interlaced be- 
tween. 
Drooped with a flowery largess many- 
hued. 



YOirilFrL POEMS. 



It.Avasa place (if l''a('ry; songs ol' birds 
'IMial uiiiniuiM-cd in and diil anujug the 

l.'a\,'s. 
l.ilst' uiauica! dreams tMiilnniii'd, wooed 

liie w inds 
'I'oueullest uuition of lieniniiaiil wiuii's; 
And llie sun veiled his I'adiaiiee, and the 

slars 
I'l'ered lliroiiu;li I he sliadowy stiUness 

w illi a li-iu 
So spiritual. Ihe forest seenunl to wane 
In ti'i'nuilons lines wa\ed down the sil- 

\ efv aisles. 
Thefe li\ed. there Kned w i\ as none else 

have lived 
And lovt'd. 1 thiid;. sineo the pi'iineNal 

l.li-ht 
Kained down its disiHM'ds, and lU'ath 

eliiu'hod tl\o einse. 
!No shallow nioi'korios of a worn-cnit ago, 
KttVlo and helpless, l)onnd yoinig passion 

round 
With the eold fellors of detested forms: 
Civili/.ation was not thoie to set 
Its spooions seal of custom on oni' hearts. 
Prisoning tho holder virtues; we might 

(laro 
To ai't. speak, think, as th.^ trnt> natniv 

moved, 
rntulored and majestie; our souls grow 
To the stature of tho spirit, that looks 

down 
From the luipollnted vogn-anoy of hoavons 
That hoM no oursos; tho glad univorso 
Showered rare honodiotions on our path; 
Matter was niorgod in poesy: the winds 
From tho serene raeitie. tho qniok gales 
From nionnlainous ridges in tho ujiper- 

niost air, 
Tho eternal ehorns of far seas serene, 
Tho harmony of forests, the sni:>li voice 
That trembles from the happy rivulet's 

breast, Ipl'V' 

All tonohed ns with that sweet philoso- 
Whieh, if we woo the visible world 

aright. 
Blesses experience with new gates of 

sense 
Where through wo gain Elvsiiun. 



So the years 
AVoro winged and odorous with a thou-.. 

sand joys. 
Of which the ]ioor slave to tho hollow 

law 
We term society, hath had no dream; 
Oiu'lovo was comprehensive, full, divine, 
Koimding tlio perfeet orbit wherein life 
Should gravitate to (Jod, even as tho 

spheres 
Koll to the central tire; love mastered 

life 
As maelstroms snek still waters, love 

tlu> one 
Floctric ciu'riMit through aet, reason, will. 
Throbbing like inspiration : no vain 

- touch 
(^f weak, fantastic passion, no thin glow 
Of morbid longing. Ihutering feebly up 
]'"ron\ shallow lirains. stirred to a dubimis 

llame. 
And tort mod with false throes of sonti- 

meiu — 
(That basiani whimperer to tho doily. 

Love — 
As a changeling to the Titans) — no red 

heat 
Of has(> desire, fusing tho delicate 

thought 
To I'haos: hut a steadfast, genial sun, 
A luminous glory, gentle as intense. 
Making our fate a heaven of warnuh, 

light, rest. 
Whose very clouds w ore halos. and whoso 

storms 
AVorc tempered into nuisie. Thus time 

stole 
(.">u nuitUed wings through the -till air of 

bliss. 
Gathering om* ripened hopes, and sowing 

seeds 
Of joy to come. My innocent hud had 

tloworoil 
To hoautv — ohi such heaiUv as those 

lips. 
Touched though they were with tiro, 

might not profane 
With sliacklos of mean ntterance. Oh, 

t;od: God! 




"Wc reached an isle 
Whereon the watere settled languidly." 



I' 



ODE. 



9 



Wliy ilidst thou take her from me ? why 

transform 
'Die passionate presence hi my shielding 

arms 
To this poor pliantom of a broken brain, 
Mocking my woe with shadows ? On a 

night 
Wlien the still sea was calmest, the bright 

stars 
Most bright, and a warm breathing on 

the wind 
.Spoke of perpetual summer, a strange 

voice 
I scarce could hear, said: " It is evening 

time," 
And a wan hand my eyes were blind to 

note 
Beckoned her far away. 

The awful grief 
Closed round me like an ocean. I was 

mad, 
And raved my memory from me. When 

again 
The world dawned, as a dreary landscape 

dawns 
Grotesquely through the sluggish mists 

of March, 
I walked once more in a great capital's 

streets, 
A savage 'midst the civilized, a man — 
.Shattered and WTecked, I grant you, — 

still a man 
Amongst the puppets that usurp the 

name 
And act tlie fraud so basely, that the 

Fiend 
Weai-ies to death the echoes of his hell 
I n laughter at them. I uia with you still, 
Kmasculate denizens of the stifling mart, 
Wliere heaven's free winds are throttled 

in the fumes 
Of furnaces, and tlie insulted sun 
Olooms through tlie crowding vapors at 

midday. 
Like a God, re-collecting to liimself 
His immortality; where nerveless limbs 
'Jear nerveless bodies to their separate 

dens 
Of torture, ami It an, wide-eyed revellers 



Foster the hungering worm that never 

dies, 
And fan tlit; lurid fire unquenchable; 
Where stealthy avarice lurks in wait to 

sack 
The widow's house ; and license of low 

minds, 
Loaded with prurient knowledge, and 

no hearts 
(Self-worship having killed them), make 

the world 
A Pandemonium. I am with you still; 
But the hours creep on to a more fortu- 
nate time; 
A vessel swells her broad sails in the bay. 
And the breeze blowetli seaward ; I Avill 

seek 
My island in tlie southern waves again ; 
A thousand memories urge me, tones 

that slept 
Waken to invitation; I can feel 
The Hesperian beauty of tliat realm of 

peace 
Flushing my brain and fancy: but 

through all 
The ruddy vision glides a tender shade. 
And pauses with mute meaning by a 

grave. 



GDI:. 



I>elivereil on the First Anniversary of the Car- 
olina Art Association, Feb. 10, 1856. 

There are two worlds wlierein our souls 
may dwell, 

With discord, or ethereal music fraught. 

One the loud mart wlierein men buy and 
sell 

(Too oft the liaunt of grovelling moods 
of Hell), 

The other, that immaculate realm of 
tliought, 

In whose bright calm the master-work- 
men wrought. 
Where genius lives on light, 
And faith is lost in sight. 

Where crystal tides of perfect harmony 
swell 



10 



Yorr/iFUL roKMs. 



Up to tho hoavons Ihal iu'vor hold a I 

cloiui. 
And romni mvat altars ivvt-ivnt hosts 

ai'o ho\\(>(K 
Altars iipivaivd to lovo that (.-aimot 

di.'. 
To hoanty that fonnof Uoops its yi>iith, 
Vo kingly graiidtMir. and to virginal | 

truth. " I 

Vo all things wiso and pinv, 
WluMVof our (.Jod hath said, " Kndniv! I 

oiuluro! i 

Vo are but parts of nu\ 
Tho Inttli /i('('(i, and the ovornioiv to be, 
Ot" my snprtMuost Iinntortality I "" 

\\\' tailor in tho darknoss and tho doarth 
Whioh sordid passions and nntamod do- 

siros 
froato about us; univoi-sal oarlh 
(iroanswith tho burdou of our sonsual 

woos ; 
Tho hoart hoavou gavo for honiago is 

oonsiunod 
Uy tho wild ragos of unhallowod tiros: 
Tho blush of that lino glory whioh 

ilhunod 
Tho oarlior agos, hath gone out in gloom ; 
Thoro is no joy within us. no repose, 
l>no ort>od om' boaoon. and one god our 

hold. 
Tho oroed. the god. of gold; 
Tho hoavonward Mingod Instinct that 

aspiivs. 
Like a lost seraph with dishovollod 

plume. 
Pants humbled in the "slough of deep 

Despond; " 
Tlie presei\t binds us. there is no l>eyond. 
No glorious Future to the soul oontent 
With the ywor husks and g-arl^age of this 

world ; 
And aiv indeed the wintrs of worship 

furled 
Forevermore ? Is no evangel blent. 
Xo sweet ev.angel, with the hiss and 

hun\ 
Of the century's wheels of progress? 

Science delves 



Down to tho earth's hot vitals, and ex- 

ploros 
Koalnis arotio aJid anlarotio. tho strange 

slioros 
Of roniolo soas. or with raised vision 

stands. 
All undisniayod. amidst tho starry lands: 
Man too, malorial man, out baser 

s.'lvos, 
Slio hath unmasked oven to tho sourceof 

being: 
Almost she seems a god, 
Doop-soarohiug and far-seeing: 
.\nd yot how ofi like some wild t'unoral 

wail 
AVhioh goes before tho burial of our 

hopes, 
Emergitig from the starry-blazoned copes 
Of highest lirmaments, or darkest vale 
Of the nether earth, or from tho bnrdonod 

air 
Of ehambers w here this mortal frame lies 

bare. 
Probed to tho core, her saddening ao- 

oonts eome; 
" What ! oall'st thou man a seraph '? nay, 

a olod, 
Tho veriest olod when his frail breath is 

spent, 
>[an shows to us who know him ; 

what is he ? 
A speck I the merest dew-globe 'midst 

the sea 
i)f life's intinity: "' 
Or, " we have probed, dissected all we 

can. 
But never yet, in any mortal man. 
Found tee the spirit ! thing of time and 

clay. 
Eat. drink, enjoy thy transient insect- 
day!" 
Tims Science; hut while still her mock- 
ing voice 
Rings with a cold shai"p clearness in our 

eai-s. 
Her beauteous sister, on whose brow the 

years 
Have left no eankering vestige of de- 

cav. 



<Jl)K. 



11 



Elcriuil Art, slic of tin; fatliomlcss cyfs 


From the deep bosom of the ])urpling 


Uriuiiiiiiif,' with li.^lil, luilf vvorsliip, Iialf 


air 


.siiiprisc, 


A lambent glory broke along the. 


In wliost! ri.t;lit haiiil a hiiiiicli of fadeless 


vast 


])aliiis, 


Horizon line, whence clouds, like incense, 


I'luckcd from tlie deplhsc^f golden sliail- 


rolleil 


owed caliiis, 


Athwart a firmamental arc of gold 


Points upward to tlie skies, 


And sapphin;; clouds not vajjor-born. 


Slie answers in a ininoi', sweet and 


Jiut clasping each the radiant seeds of 


strange 


morn, 


'I'lie wliile, all graees in lier aspeet meet. 


Which suddenly, clear zenilli heiglits at- 


And Doubt and Fear slirink shuddering 


tained, 


at iier fe(!t. 


Hurst into light, unfolding like a flower, 


"I faring a nobler message! Soul, re- 


Fi'om out whose quivering heart a mystic 


joiee! 


show(;r 


Kise with nie fi-om Ihy ti-rjiiljlous toils of 


Of si)Iendor rained: 


sense. 


A spell was hers to coiiqu(;r time and 


Thy bootless stnigglcs, born of impo- 


space, 


tcnee. 


For from th(! desert grandeiu- of that 


itise to a suijtler view, a broader range 


jilace 


f)f thought and aim; 


A hundred temples rise. 


Mine is a sway ideal. 


The marble poems of the bards of old, 


Hut still the works I prompt, alone, are 


Where(ji) 'twere well to look with rever- 


real ; 


f!nt eyes, 


Mine is a realm from immemorial time 


IJecause they Ijody noblest aspirations. 


llegiit by deeils and purjjoses sublime. 


Ethereal hopes, and Avinged imagina- 


Whose eonseeration is faith's fiuenehl(;S3 


tions, 


flame. 


Wlietlier to tallied .Jove theii- walls were 


\\'hos(; voices are the songs of poet- 


raised, 


sages. 


Or on their inner altar offerings blazed 


Whose strong fcmndations resting on the 


To wise Athfiua, or, in Christian Koine 


ages, 


Beneath St. Peter's mighty circling 


Tlie throes and crash of empires have 


dome. 


not shaken, 


A second Heaven, the golden censers 


Nor any futile force of human rages. 


swing. 




The clear-toned choirs those hymns of 


" Come! let us enter in ! 


rapture sing, 


IJehold, the portal gates stand open 


Which, on harmonious waves of gratula- 


wide! 


tion. 


Only, from off thy spirit shake the dust 


The outburst of the sense of deep salva- 


Of any thought of sin, 


tion, 


Or sordid pridf;, 


Uplift the spirit where the Incarnate 


For sacred is the kingflom of my tnjst, 


Word 


By mind, and strength, and beauty sanc- 


Amid the praise no ear of man liath 


tified." 


heard. 




The peace no mind of man can compre- 


She spake! and o'er the threshold of a 


liend. 


sphere, 


Awaits to welcome Time's worn wander- 


A marvellous sphere, they passed ; 


ers home! 



12 



YOUTHFUL POEMS. 



"But look again!" Art's eager Genius 


Moves as he moved belo^\', 


cried : 


Save that his smitten vision 


•• Thou hast not seen the eiul, 


Rekindled at the fount of tire Elysian, 


Scarce the beginning! "" As she spake, a 
tide 


Burns with a snl)tler. grander, deepei 
glow ; 


Of all the mighty masters, loved, adored, 


And yonder ^Eschylus, with '• thunder- 


From out the shining distant spaces 


ous brow," 


lioured. 


Scarred by the lightning of his own crea- 


All those who fashioned, through an 


tions. 


inward dower, 


AVrapped in a cloud of sombre medita- 


The concrete forms of beauty and of 


tions. 


power; 


Ilath seized the tragic nuise. as if to 


Whether from white Pentelic quarries 


her 


brought. 


He scorned to bend an bumble worship- 


The voiceless stone uprose, a breathing 


per. 


thought, 


But would extort her gifts; 


Or, from th(> mystic rays of rainbows 


Then Sliakespeare mild. 


drawn. 


Blessed with the innocent credence of a 


Aiul colors of the sunset and the dawn. 
The painters pencil his ideal fine. 


child, 
With a child's thoughts and fancies im- 


Had clothed in hues divine; 


de tiled. 


Or, skilled in living words 
Melodious as the natural voice of birds 


And yet a Magian strong 
To whom the springs of terrible fears 


(But each a sentient thing, a meaning 
grand. 


belong. 
Of majesty, and beauty, and delight. 


It is not given to all to understand). 
The poet from the shade of breezy 
woods. 


To the weird eharm of whose infallible 
sight. 
The heart's emotions. 


From barren seaside solitudes. 


Though turbid as the tides of darkest 


And from the pregnant quiet of his soul 
Outbreathed the numbers that forever 

roll 


oceans, 
Shone clear as water of the woodland 
brooks — 


Perennial, as the fountains of the sea, 


He passed with wisdom throned in his 


Antl deep almost as deep eternity! 
Near and yet nearer the bright concourse 


looks 
Attempered by the genial heats of 
wit; 


came. 


AVhile close beside him. his grand coiui- 


Their faces all aflame, 


tenance lit 


As when of yore the quick creative thrill 


By thoughts like those which wrought 


Did smite them into utterance, and the 


his Judgment Day. 


throng. 
Awed by the fiery burden of the song, 


Grave Michel Angelo 
His massive forehead lifts. 


Grew reverent pale and still: 
0! solemn and sublime Apocalypse 
That wresteth, from the dreary death- 


In a strange Titan fashion, unto Heaven: 
Xext Raphael conies, with calm and star- 
like mien. 


eclipse. 


Fresh from the beatific ecstasy. 


The sacred presence of these marvellous 


His face how beautiful, and how serene! 


men! 
Yonder the visible Homer moves again. 


Since (Jod for him the awful veil had 
riven 



QUEEN GALi:SA -TUh: POETH ThTST IN JUS SOll/iOW. 



13 



That shrouds Divinity. 
Ami rolled bcfort' his woiuk'rinj; mind 

and oyo 
X'isions that we should gazo on hut — to 

die! 

They passed, and thousands more passed 
by with them; 

Again Art's Genius spake: " Lo! these 
are they 
Who, through stern trihulatious. 

Have raised to right and truth the sub- 
ject nations; 
Lol these are they, 

Who, were the whole bright concourse 
swept away. 

Their fame's last barrier, built the siu'ge 
lo stem 

Of chaos and oblivit)n. whelmed be- 
neath 

The pitiless torrent of etei'ual death, 

Would yet bequeath to races unbegot 

'i'lie precepts of a faith which faileth 
not; 

I'ointing, from troublous toils of time 
and sense, 

From bootl(!ss struggles born of impo- 
tence. 
To that fair realm of thought, 

In whose bright calm these master- 
workmen wrought, 

Where crystal tides of perfect music 
swell 

I'p to the heavens that never held a 
cloud, 

And round great altars worshipping 
hosts are bowed — 

Altars upreared to love that cannot 
die, 

'I'o beauty that forever keeps its youth, 

To kingly grandeur, and to virginal 
truth, 
To all things wise and pui-e. 

Whereof our God hath said : ' Endure ! 
endure ! 
Ye are but parts of me. 

The HATH 15KEX, and the evermore to 

BE, 

Of my suprcmest Immortality!' " 



QUEEN GALENA, Oli THE SULTANA 

lU'/rn.i )/■:/>. 

IIoi.dI let the; heartless perjuri'r go! 
Spt'ak not! strike not! he is *//// foe. 
From me, me only, comes the blow — 
1 will repay him woe for woe; 
Look in my eyes! my eyes are dry, 
I breathe no plaint, 1 heave no sigh, 
But — will avenge me ere 1 die. 

Think you that 1 shall basely rest. 
And know the bosom min(^ hath prest. 
Is couched upon a colder breast ? 
Think you that 1 shall yield tlie West, 
The Orient soul my natiu'c^ nurst, 
Till the black seed of treachery burst 
And blossomed to this deed accurst ? 

My rival! O! her glance is meek, 
Iler faltering presence wan, and weak 
As th(! faint (lush that tints her cheek. 
'Tis not on lier tliat I would wreak 
My vengeance — sooner would 1 wring 
Lif(^ from an insect-birth of spring 
Than palter with so poor a thing. 

But he — I tell you if he flew. 
As it was once his wont to do, 
Kepentant — ])lea(ling — quick to woo, 
With all his wild h(>art flaming through 
The glance of passion — it were sweet, 
Yea, nujre! 'twere righteous, just, and 

meet. 
To slay him kneeling at my feet! 

TT(> .s7/f'// not wed her; by Heaven's light 
He shall not; o'er my lurid sight 
Throbs a thick fire; the ancient might 
Of a stern race is stirred to-night; 
jl/// sovereign claim annvfl — disown! 
I will repay him groan for groan, 
Or — stab him at the altar-stone! 



THE f'OET'S TRUST IN IlfS SORROW. 

O (Joi)! how sad a doom is mine. 

To human seeming: 
Thou hast called on me to resign 
8o much — much ! — all — but the divine 

Delights of dreaming. 



14 



lOUTlIFUL FOEMti. 



I set my d renins to nuisic wild, 

A wealth of measures ; 
My lays, thank Heaven! are undelileil, 
I sport witli Fancy as a child 

With golden leisures. 

And long as fate, not wholly stern, 

l>ut this shall grant me, 
.Still with perennial faith to turn 
Where Song's unsullied altars burn 

Nought, nought shall daunt me! 

What though my worldly state be low 

IJeyond redressing; 
I own an inner llanu; whose glow 
Makes radiant all the outward show; 

My last great blessing! 



THE liUOOK. 

But yesterday this brook was bright, 
And tranquil as the clear moonlight, 
That wooes the palms on Orient shores, 
But now, a hoarse, dark stream, it pours 
Impetuous o'er its bed of rock, 
And almost with a thunder-shock 
Boils into eddies, fierce and fleet, 
That dash the white foam round our 

feet, 
A raging whirl of waters, rent 
As if with angry disc(.)nlent! 

A tempest in tlie night swept by, 
Born of a nuuk and iiery sky, 
And while the solid woodlands shook, 
It wreaked its fury on the brook. 
The evil genius of the blast 
Within its quiet bosom passed. 
And therefore this transfigured tide, 
Which usetl as lovingly to glide 
As thought through spirits sanctified, 
Kolls now a whirl of waters, rent 
As if with angry discontent. 

I knew, of late, a creature, bright 
And gentle as the clear moonlight. 
The tenderest and the kindest heart 
That ever played I^ove's selfless part, 



iVcross whose unperturbed life, 

A sudden passion swept, in strife, 

Witli wild, unhallowed forces rife. 

11 stirred her nature's inmost deej). 

That ncvei more shall rest or sleep, 

Bemorse, its rugged bed of I'ock, 

O'ei' \\liich for aye, with thunder-shock. 

The tides of feeling, fierce and fleet. 

Are dashed to foam or icy sleet, 

A raging whirl of waters, I'ent 

By something worse than discontent ! 



NATUUE THE COSSOLEIi. 

Gladly I bail these solitudes, and 

breathe 
The inspiring breath of the fresh wood- 
land air. 
Most gladly to the past alone bequeath 

Doubt, grief, and care; 
I feel a new-born freedom of the mind, 
Nursed at the breast of Xature, with the 

dew 
Of glorious dawns; 1 hear the mountain 

wind. 
Clear as if ellin trumpets loudly blew, 
I'eal through the dells, and scale the 

lonely height, 
Bousing the echoes to a ([uick delight. 
Bending the forest monarchs to its 

will, 
'Till all their pond'rous branches shake 

and thrill 
In the wide-wak(;ning tnnmlt; far above 
The heavens stretch calm and blessing; 

far below 
The mellowing fields are touched with 

evening's glow, 
And many a pleasant sight and sound I 

love 
Woidd gently woo me from all thoughts 

of woe: 
.Simlighted meadows, music in the 

grove. 
From hapi>y bird-throats, and the fairy 

rills 
That lapse in silvery nun-murs through 

the hills; 




' Gladly 1 hail these solitudes, mid breatlie 
The inspiring breath of the fresh wcodland air.' 



NATURE THE CONSOLER. 



15 



Great cirrlcs of r'uli f()li;iL,'(\ raiiiliow- 

crowKcil 
By aiitiimirs lihcnil liiiiji'ss, wliilsL 

iiromiil 
firavf slice]) lie iiiii^iii"-; on tlic ])asl()i'al 
fji-oiiiid. 
Or sciidiiiu; a mild bleat 
Tf) otlier (locks al'ai', 
'I'lic lleecy comrades llicy are wont to 

meel 

Homeward rei iiriiiiiii; 'iiealli tJK! vc'S])ei- 



Oil, ueiiiai peace of Xaturcl divine calm 
'i'liat fallest on the spirit, like the rain 
Of Kden, bearing melody and lialm 
To soothe the troubled heart and lie;il lis 

]inin, 
'I'liy inlliieiice lifts me to a realm of Joy, 
A mooiilinht luippiness, intens(! but 

mild. 
T'nvisited by shadow of alloy, 
And (lushed with tender dreams and fan- 
cies undeliled. 

'I'lie universe of (iod is still, not dumb, 
F(;r many voices in svv(!et undertone 

To ri'verent listenei's come; 
And man\ liioiiLjbts, with Iruth's own 

jmiiey laden. 
Into I lie walclier's wakefid brain have; 
Mown, 
< liarminy the inner ear 
Willi harmonies so low, and yet so clear. 
So undelined, yet pregnant with a feelinu;. 
An insjiiration of sublime revealing. 
Thai lliey whose being the strong spell 
shall hohl. 
Do look on earthly things 
Thr(Migli atnios])hcres of rich imaginings. 
And iind, in all they see, 
A meaning manifold; 
TIk; forces of divine vitality 
IJreak through the sensual gloom 

About them furled, 
All instinct with the radiant grace and 

bloom 
Caught from the glories of a lovelier 
world. 



A lovelier w<jild I in tin- thronged space 

on high. 
Dwells tlierc! ind 1 a, fairi'r star llia.n 

ours. 
Circled by sunsets of more gorgeous dye, 
And gifted with an ampler wealth of 

ilowers '.* 
Can heavenly bounty lavish richer stores 
Of color, fragranci!, beauty, and delight 

On mortal or immortal sight. 
In any splusre that rolls around tlu; sun ? 
See what a splendor from the dying day 
Through \\u\ grand forest poursi 
Now, lighting up its veteran-crests with 

glory. 
Now, slanting down the shadows dim and 

hoary. 
Till, in the long-drawn gloom of leafy 

glaih^s, 
At the fa,r close of tlicir impervious 

shades. 
The piuple spleuflor softly melts away! 

\ow, o\ci'arclied by dewy canopies. 

And awed by dimness that is hardly 
gloom, I lips. 

We stand amidst the silence with hnslied 

Watching tlu! didiious glimmer of the 
skies 

I'aled by the foliage to a half-eclipse. 
And struggling for full room. 

With intermittent gleams, that (piiekly 
di.' 

In throbs and Ir-cmors, waning suddcMily 

'I'o the mere ghosts of llame, to appari- 
tions 

Impalpabk; as star-beams in deep seas. 

Lost in the dark below the surface- 
rullling breeze. 

|tions, 

Latest of all these marvellous transi- 

And crowning all with their ineffable 
grace, 

'J'he eyes of the night's empress, witch- 
ing sweet. 

Scatter tlie shadows in each secret 
place. 

So that, where'er her beamy glances 
llc't, 



16 



YOUTHFUL FOE MS. 



Shot ihroimli and llii-ou;;!i, as if with 

aiTowy iiiiLilit. 
Tlu- dusky uloainiu:;' I'ails bct'oiv hor 

sliafts of iiuht. 



THE SOLI.-COXFLICT. 

DkfkatkdI htit ncviT dishcartt'iu'dl 

Uopnlsfdl hill UliroUiHUTcd ill will. 
I'lioii dreary liist'unilitiuvs building 

Her \ irtuo's strouii' battloinonts still, 
'rill' soul, through the siogo of tcniiita- 
tioiis. 

Yii'Kls not unto fraud, nor to might. 
I'nqui'llod by tho rush of tho passions, 

Serouo 'mid tho tumults of light. 

She sees a grand pri/.o in llu' distaiu'O, 

She hears a glad sound of aoelaims, 
Tho oiown wrought of blooms amaran- 
thim>. 

Tho musio tar swootor than Fame's. 
And so. "gainst tho rush of the passions 

Sho lifts tho broad buckler of right. 
And so. through the glooms of tempta- 
tion. 

She walks in a splendor of liglit. 



THE rUESES TIM EXT. 

Ovi'.i; luM" faee. so tender and meek. 

The light of a prophoey lies. 
That has silvered tho red of tl;o rose on 
her eheek. 

And ohastened tho Ihouglit in her eyesi 

IJoauiiful oyi>s. with an inward glaneo. 

To the spirit's mystieal deep: 
Lost ill the languid gleam of a tranoe. 

More solemn and saintly than sleep. 

And, forever and ever, she seems to liear 
Tlie voice of a spirit implore. 

*" Come I enter the life that is nol)le and 
clear; 
Come I grow to my heart onee more." 

And. forever and ever, sho mutely turns 
From a mortal lover's siiihs: 



-Vnd fainter tho rod of the roso-tiush 
burns. 
.Vnd deeper the thought in her eyes. 

Tlie seeds are warm of the thurehyard 
flowers, 
That will blossom above her rest. 
And a bird that shall sing l>y tho old 
ehurch towers. 
Is already Hedged in its nest I 

And sii. when a blander summer shall 
smile. 
On some night of soft July. 
Wo will louil to the dust her beauty 
awhile, 
in the hush of a moonless sky. 

And later still, shall the ehurehyard 
tlowers. 
(ileain nigh with a white iuerease: 
And a bird outpour, by the old church 
towers. 
A plaintive poem of peace. 



THE Tiro sr.MMEliS. 

TiiKHK is a golden season in our year. 
Between October's hale and lusty cheer. 
And the hoar frost of winter's empire 
drear; 

AVhieh. like a fairy tUnxl of mystic tides. 
Whereon ilivine tranquillity abides. 
The kingdom of the sovereign months 
divides; 

The wailing autumn winds their requiems 

cease. 
Fro winter's sturdier storms have gained 

release. 
And heaven and earth alike are bright 

with peace. 

O soul! thou hast thy golden season 

tool 
A blissful interlude of birds and dew. 
Of balmy gales, and skies of deepest hlue I 



LINES. 



17 



That secoiiil suinini'f, wiicu ll'.y \v(irl< is 

(lollc, 

The liarvesL liourdcd, iiiicl the iiu'llow sun 
(ilciuns on tlu; Iruitl'ul liclds tliy toil li;is 

won ; 

Wliicli, also, like a fair myslcrions tide, 
Whereon ciilni tlion^hts like shi|)s al. 

anclnn- ride, 
Dipili liie liin:iil eini)ifc of liiy years di- 
vide. 

'I'liis ])assed, wlial more of life's brief 
palli remains, 

A\'inds llir()ii!;li nnlii:;lite(l vales, and dis- 
mal plains, 

'i'lie liannl i)f eliillinL:, lili^lil, or f^'V(!r(Ml 
[lains. 

Pray, then, ye hai)])y few, aloni; \vhos(! 

way I ray, 

Life's Indian snnuiiei- pmirs its pnriiliii'j, 

That ye may die ere d.iwns I he evil day. 

Sink on that season's kind and t^enial 

breast, 
While peace and snnshine rnle Ihe elond- 

less west, 
Tho elect of Ciod, whom life and death 

have blessed! 



L I X /•; .s' , 



"Thoujili (lowcrcil wilh instincts ki'cn and 
lii^'li." 

" I u-..,.|, 
I\Iy ynntli, and its ln-avc lioju'S, all <li';i(l anil 

« '. 

In tears wliidi biiiii." — I'.\R.\( la.srs. 

'riiot(ii[ dowered wilh inst inrts keen and 
hi-b. 
With liurinnL;- Ihoiinbls that- wooeil the 
liuht. 
The sfonifnl world bath passed him by, 
And left him loncdit ;• than the nii,dit. 

\'es! cold ami |]n|)eless, one by one 
The stars of faith ba\c quenebed tbeii' 
flame. 

And liki' a waninj,^ ]>olar snn. 

Declines the latest hope of fame. 



He Ionised to sinij; one; noble song, 
To thrill, with passion's living breath, 

The fools whose scorn bad worked him 
wrong, 
And liallle fate, and concpier death. 

Dear (iod ! dost thon endow with powers, 
Whose aspirations mock the bars 

Of time and sense, whose vision towers 
Irrailiatc "mid thy sovereign stars, 

()nly to furnish some faint gleams 
Of loftiei' beauty, (|iuck withdi'awn, 

rjcaviiig a frenzied bell of dreams. 
And wailings for the \aiiisbed dawn ? 

The oracles of fancy mute. 

Ambition's priests dethroned and (led, 
He wanders with a lumdess lute. 

Through dreary regions of tho dead. 

i!ut from that )ilace of bale uploom 
The phantoms of unbuiicul yi^ar.s. 

The- liaunting care, the grief, the gloom, 
Th(! treacherous hopes, tlu; pale-eyed 
fears 

That, stormed bis spirit's brave design, 
'I'hat clogged its wings, betrayed its 
trust. 

Defaced its creed, and dashed the wine 
In song's bright chalice, to Ihe dust. 

Ah, lleaNcn! coidd be retrace his life 
l''rom out tills realm of doubt and 
<lcartli. 
He woidd not court thought's eagle 
strife, 
Hut clasp t he calm 1 bat clings to eai'lh. 

Above, the tbi'catening thunders wait 
For dauntless souls that dare aspire, 

lint lowly lives are safe from bate. 
And peace is wed to meek desire. 

Yet, birds that bi'cast the turbideiit air 
Are worthier than tlnr things that 

creeji. 

Anil nobler is a high despair 

Thai; weak eonlent, or sluggish sleep. 



18 



YOUTHFUL rOEMlS.. 



soya. 

Ol vol i; oyes aiv iloop ami loiulor, 
Ol your channoil voico is low. 

Hut I'vo t'ouuii your beauty's spK'nilor 
W\ a UKK'kory and a show ; 

Slijilitiui hoart and biokon inoniiso 
l'\>llo\v whorcsoi-'or you j^o. 

All \our words ;;ro fair and lioklon, 
.Ml your artions false and wrong, 

iSol the uoblost soul's boholdon 
To your woak alVootions long; 

Only true ii\ — lovor's faiu-y. 
Only (.lUistant in —his si>ng. 



OX .1 roirrn.irr. 

A *vilo\voi' luiisos ovoi- llu' lilvo\io.-!s >>1 his iloavl 

will'. 

'riiK faoo. tlu> beautiful faro. 
In its living flush and glow. 
Tho porfoot fai'o in its i>oorloss graoo 
That I worshipiH'd long ago; 
That I worshipiH'd whou youth was 
strong and bold. 
That I worship now, 
'riuHigh tho i>ulso of youth grows faint 
and low. 
And tho ashi's of hopo aro eold. 

Tho faoo. tho boautifnl faoo. 

Evor haunting n»y hoart and brain. 
r>ringing ofttinios a droani of boa von, 
(.>fttinios tho pang of a pain 
^Yhiob darioih down liko a lightning 
tlash 
To tho droadful doops, 
Whoro tho gonis of a shipwrookod lifo 
juv oast. 
And its doad ookl prondso sloops. 

Swoot faoo! shall 1 moot thoo again. 
In tho passionless land of pahns. 
I?y tho vorgo of Iloavoi\'s onohantod 
streams 
In the hush of its perfoet oaln\s; 
Or. forever and ever, and evornioro. 
While the years depart. 
While the aces roll. 



Walk tho glooms of a ghostly shore. 
Made wild by a phantoni-hauuied 

brain. 
And a oloud-onoirolod soul; 
r>y a haunled brain and a ohoorless 
hoart. 
While tho years and the ages roll ".* 

No answiM' oonies lo my ory. 

Though out of the depths 1 eall: 
Not tho faintest gleam of a hopeful 
beam 
Shines over the shroud and pall. 
My soul is olothoil with saokoloih and 
dust. 
And I look from my widowed hearth 
With a vaeani tve on tho tumuli 

and stir 
Of this weary, dreary earth: 
For my soul is dead and its hopes aro 

dust. 
And the joy of passion, the strength of 
trust, 
77;(,s't'passevl from the world with 
hn: 



rilK Sll.lDOM. 

TltK pathway of his mournful life hath 

wound 
Heneath a shadow; just beyond it play 
The genial bree/es, and the eoi>l brooks 

stray 
Into melodious gushings of sweet sound. 
Whilst ample tloods of mellow sunshine 

fall 
lake a mute rain of rapture over all. 

Oft hath he doonu\l the spoil of darkness 

lost. 
And shouted to the dayspring: a full 

glow I woe. 

Hath rushed to olasp him; but the subtle 
rnvani|uished ever, with the might of 

frost . 
Kegains its sad realm, and with voieo 

malign 
Saith to tho dawning joy: *' This life is 

mine I "' 



Tiih: wisTi'.i; \vi\i)s — iJNi)i<:i: shnti'.n ('!<:. 



19 



Slill smiles llic l)i;i\t' soul, iimlivoiiTd 

I'lOlll linpc! 
And, Willi iinu.urriiiL; (•><• .'iimI wiiirioi" 

iiiii'ii. 
Walks ill I he shallow, dauiil less and 

scrciic, 
To Icsl, lliioiii;li lioslilc ycais, llic iil- 

Illosl, SCOJIC 

< »t' man's ciidmiiiicc — (;oiislant to essay 
All liei^ids of palieiKii! t"n!(! to fee.t of 

.•lay. 

Slill smiles llie liiave soul, luiilivoreed 

from hope! 
Ihil now, methinks, Ww pale hope j^a,tli- 

ers strength ; 
(■lad winds in\adellie silence; streams, 

al leniJilh. 
flash Ihioil'^h Hie desert; 'lieatll l,he 

sap|ihire e()pc 

< »l' di-epeijiiij4 heavens he hails a happier 

<lay, 
And tlio spent shadow nuitely wanes 
away. 



/■///; II /XT/':/; n'/\/>s A/.iy iv//jI)LY 
/:ai'/:. 

Till'; wintei' winds may wildly rave;, 
How wildly o'er thy plaee of rcist! 

I'liil. lo\'e! Mioii hasi, a holier f^rave, 
I )erp ilia tail hfiil hiiiiian hreast. 

'riieic, I he emhalmer, .Memory, heiids, 
Wali'liini^, with soflly-hreathed sif^hs, 

The mystic lij^lit Iier {genius lends 
To fadi'less clKicks and tender (!y(!s. 

'I'lieie in a fal hornless calm, serene, 
Thy heaiily keeps its saintly trace, 

'I'lie radiance of an anfjid mien, 
Tlie raptnre of a heavenly f^race. 

And there, C) {gentlest lov('! ri'inain 
(No stormy passion round thee rav(ts). 

Till, soul to soul, we meet ai^aiii, 

Heyond I his t;liostly realm of f^raves. 



I/A' />/:/{ s/<sr/<:\c/-:. 

\'\,Mv: — Sriitlaiiil. TiiMn: - '/'liirlcciilli 
(■ml mil. 

Oi'K ! off! No ticai-herons priest forme! 
What's Heaven '.' whal's iiell '.' i'llernity! 
It hath no ni<!aiiiii'4 lo (///;/'• ear. 

Unless Slay, falliei-: Caiisl thou 

sweai' 
Hy holy Hood, Ihat I shall meel 
/////( there, whose crime maile iiimder 

sweet ;' 
////;/ whos(; hlack soul Vw iiiirled lie- 
fore',' 
lie's ^oiie! How cold my diiiii^eon 

lloor! 
And I he rack wreiiciies si ill ! This hand, 
Whii'h slillened lo a, (iiv-hol hand 
Of sleel, erushinn his hase lirealhoiit, 
'l"hey'v(r foully manj^led ! See (hat ^oiit 
Of hlood (here — Ihere, loo ! What 

.•are I •.' 
Il did ils work well: let it lie! 

J'dj4i\e len mortal ii\es. I Irow, 
As full of sweels as mine of wne. 
To feel that (|uiverini; throat once more; 
To view the hliie-diif^ed, strani^lin<;- fj;or('. 
Spout from his lips! 'I'o watch (Ik; dim 
Film o'(!r those; eruel (!y('l)alls swim. 
And (he hlack anj^nusli of his stiire. 
Dashed hiiiid with horror! l-ords! he- 
ware, 
Mu(!li triflinj.;! W(; are do^s, ye ken. 
Who yet may rise, and smile like men. 

Wiiat's (iiis '.' Ah, yes! the llower 1 took 
From her! I (hitik Iiei' dyin.;^ look 
IJaptizeil i(. for il, keeps so fair. 
I wonder if they decked hvv hair 
With other tlowers like (his, r're ye(, 
'J'liey lowereil her heaiMy to the, wet. 
Dark mould '.* If maiden dust to (lowers 
(Soin<! say so) (urns, not all the howc^rs 
Tliis spring shall warm will erpial those 
To hlossom from her pure ripose, ! 

.My nuptial ni<,dit! (hxI's hlood! what 

rij,di( 
Had / to iiiiplials '.' 'I'o the hii'dit 



'20 



vol r II 11' L roKMs. 



Koon joy (l>!>t burns on wedded lijis ".' 
My life-stiir eoiild not bieaU (he eelipse 
Wherein "twiis li,>rn ! So that i!;nk.h>oni 
\\'hieli honniU uie to a sliauielnl tomb, 
Ordained llial tiie liend's triel< tliey 

nsed 
Slionid trap nii'I I'aith. love, peaee 

ahnsod. 

I woke lo liud my heai'l hefetl 

Of its (Hie treasure! What was left '.' 
What. l>nt llial mandate N'enucanee. 

iiisse.i 
Willi hot tonune thro" a seethiiiL;- mist 
Of passion : the lieree mandate, "• Kill '.' " 
Ayol hut shr. loo. la\ Man. lied and 

slill. 

Klanehed on theeoueli 1 dreamed would 

he 
My wi>ildinLi- eoueh I Oh, int'amyl 
His outrage smote her to the heart : 

II eraslied Ihe i:aies ol' lite ai>art. 
Where thronuh hei- shudderim; sonl look 

Ihuht : 
Ihil ere Ihe dealh-dew dinnned her sij;lit. 
81ie pive me, as I .said, this Ilower, 
And — one lonj; smile! To my last hour 
I've shrined her sn\ile! It', it' ,-onie- 

whoiv 
There hv a heaven, h.-nicn and fair. 
Its saints, 1 feel, must smile so there! 

l^read l!od! e(>uldsl thou have marked 

my w roim. 
Yet sheathed Ihy liuhlniui;- ? I was 

stronc' 
And lusty as the hillside nn': 
Could wield the brand and bend the 

l>ow 
Sodeflly, that his lordshipdeisiued 
To show me favor! Was it feii;iied '? 
I know not ! His lasf kindness took 
.\ stransiv shape truly : for it shook 
My hopes to atoms! Yet /h- fell 
Troue wiih them! Shall we meet in 

hell •: 

I ask airain. 11a! if we do 

Aiui tlunv's a sinc:le nerve, or thew. 



Or muscle l(>ft to nake.l soi;l, 

I'll strangle him onec more; einoll 

My ruthless arms round lireast and 

throat. 
And wrinu from out his gorp' thai note 
or palsied fear! I'll do "l, iho" all 
The devils should pull me haek. and 

eall 
P'resh tornii-nts on my anguished bead: 
Doubtless thev'll lake Ins part instead. 

Of iiniic. being de\ ils. and be the worst ; 
A prince amongst their tiibes aeeiu'<t 
l?y this time: for a moulli has sped. 
Heshrew mo, sluro he joined ibe dead. 
The damn(>d dead! l^'nll time 1 trow. 
I'or all the bounds of hell lo know 
That Satan's rivalled! Hark without ! 
'Ihe gathering tramp, the approaching 

shout 
Of thousands! Wt-U. their scatVold's 

high: 
Fair chance for all io see me die! 



77//- in.i.tci: /tr.frrv. 

Tin: glowing tints of a tropic e\o. 

I>urn on her radiant cheek. 

.\nd we kuiuv that her voice is rich and 

low. 
Though we never have heard her speak: 
So full are those gracious eyes of light. 
That Ihe blissful llood runs o'iM'. 
And wherever her trau.piil patbwav 

lends 
.\ glory lliis on before! 

O! very grand are the city belles. 

Of a l>rilliant and stately n\ien. 

.\s they walk the steps of the languid 

dance. 
And Iliri in the pauses between: 
Ihil b(Miealh the boughs of the hoary 

oak. 
When the minstrel fountains play, 
1 think that the artless village girl 
Is sweeter by far than they. 



AFTICll JJKA 'I'll. 



21 



()\ very K'ari'l arc, the city Ix-IIch, 

JJiit l,li(!ir licartH an; worn away 

J5y Uio I<f!<;ri-«;(lg<!<I world, ami tlifji- livr-s 

liavf! loHl, 
Tlu! V)f!auly and iniitli of .May; 
'J'ln-y movr- wli<;r<; lli<; snii and I he slurry 

(ll'WH 

Krii^n riol,; tlicy ar<: liaui,dily and lioM, 
i\nd llM'y do not sliiink tioni IIk- (luscd 

marl, 
Wln-nr faill) in Mk-. sluvi- of ;^old. 

IJiit, tlio, starry dcwK and tlif; K*'"ial snn 
Have ii\;n\i\i:\u:i\ licr (.MiilidcHs youtli; 
And li'T hrow i.s bri^^lit, willi tin- (Insli of 

JlO|)C, 

Her soul willi t}i(! seal of trulli; 
Ilf-r stfpH ar'<! hcaiitifnl on the liills 
As llic sU'p.s of an Orient, morn, 
And Kntli was nr-ver more fair l,o see 
In tin; midsl of tiie atiliiiiin eorn. 



AFTEU hF.sril. 

Tjik passionate solw of tl)«' ^V-.w friends 

that, eame, 
'J'o look their last npon my living frame, 
And eateh the fainting; accents of my 

l)|.-;i(h, 

'I'hat lhilleri-i| in tin- atmosphere of 

(h'alh, 
W(!re Implied to sile,nc(', and the luici r- 

tain lijflit, 
That flickerefl o'er tlie arras to my si^lit, 
Orew jtaler and mor<; tremulous, as lift; 
Sunk 'iieath tlie power of that nnequal 

otrife, 



Which jiils hnmanity against tlie sp<dl 
Of OIK' all flesh hath found invineihlel 

I could not see my for;: but tlir; wholir 

sijaci- 
Was redolent of jiestilencf!, and gr;ici> 
Of all things Ix-antifnJ, and grand jmd 

free, 
Seiiiicd jrjst in <l;irkness evitrniore to 

nie : 
I stiuggled willi liie invisihlf arm Ih.it 

woimd 
So stf-rnly j'otmd me, hut cfiuld give no 

s(jund 
To the great agony that whelmeil my 

sold 
In surges wilder than the elcinal roil 
Of a svorld'f- waters, liiunderin^ romul 

the Pole. 

Downward, still riownward, the relent- 
less hand 

Pn;ssed on my heirig, and the iron wand 

Of his malign enchaulment struck /ny 
heart 

Withadidl force that made the lifc-hjr.otl 
start 

l-'orevr-r from its coursers; tlien a sf^nse 

Of ftoming rest, more ilreainless and in- 
tense, 

'f'han ever wrapped mortality in still 

Ami fhrohless freedom from all thoughts 
of ill, 

Stoleo'er t!ie vanfjuished form and glim- 
mering sight, 

'I'ill silencrr ruled, with nothingness and 
nigiit! 



S O N N E T S. 



■^l^" 




^^^ A<i^ 






>^^^' 



r' 






^jH- 



S O X N E T S. 



The passionate miimiiht's (k-ad ! tlic sky's 

a;,'l(>\v 
Willi roscaU; (lushcsof iiialurcd desire, 
The winds at eve; are niusieal and low, 
As sweeping eiiords of a lanienling 

lyre. 
Far np among the pillared eloiiilsof fiie. 
Whose pomp of strange procession np- 

ward rolls, 
With gorgeous blazonry of ]iieliired 

scrolls, 
To cel(!brat(; tlii; siunmer's ]iast lenown ; 
All, me I how regally the heavens look 

down, 
O'ershailowingheaiitifnl autumnal woods 
And harvi-st fields with lioard(!d in- 

ereasi^ brown. 
And ilee])-toned majesty of golden floods. 
That laise their solemn dirges to the 

sky. 
To swell the purjile pfim])tliat floateth by. 



LIFE AS I) hF.ATIJ. 

I. — I, UK. 

Si'FFEi'.iN';! and yet majestieal in pain; 
MysterioiisI yet, like spring-showers in 

the sun, 
Veilini: the liglit with their melodious 

rain. 
Life is a warp of glootn and glory spun ; 
Its darkling phases are as elouds that 

nK)urn 
Beneath the loftier splendors of an areh 
Where deathless orbs in golden daylight 

burn, 



Anil <;od's great jmlses Ijeat their iiiiisio 

maieh. 
'I'liehea\en we woisiiip (jiijily girl uitli 

teai's, 
'I'lie spirit-heavi-ii. what is it but a life, 
J^ifting its soul l^eymid our mortal years 
'i'liat oft begin, and r!V(!r end with strife;: 
Strife; we must i)ass to win a happier 

height, 

.N'ature but ti-avails to reveal us — Yv^A. 

II. — DKAIII. 

'I'JIK.V wheiiee, () Death! thy drea)-iness ? 

We know 
That every llouerlbe bree/.e's flatleiing 

breath 
Wooes to a blush, and love-liki: mur- 
muring low, 
I)i(;s but to multiply its bloom in death : 
'I'Ik! rill's glad, ])r;ittiiiig iiifaney, that 

fills 
The woodlands with Its song of iiinoeent 

glee. 
Is passing through the heart of shadowy 

hills. 
To swell the eternal manhood of the 

sea ; 
And the great stars, Creation's minstn'I- 

fire.s 
Are rolling toward the e-enlral source 

of light, 
Where all their separate glory but ex- 

jdres 
To Jiierge into oni- world's unbroken 

might ; 
There is no death but change, soul 

clasp(!th soul, 
And all are ])ortion of the immortal 

Wh(j|e. 



26 



SONNETS. 



SHELLEY. 

Because they thought his doctrines 

were not just, 
^Mankind assiiincil for him the ehasten- 

iu<i' rot I, 
And tyrants reared in pride, and strong 

in lu^t, 
Woundeil the noblest of the sons of 

(Jod; 
The heart's most cherished benefactions 

riven, 
Basely they strove to humble and 

malign 
A soul whose charities were wide as 

heaven, 
AVhose (lii'ds, if not his diictriucs, wen* 

divine; 
And in the name of llim, whose sun- 
shine warms 
The evil as the righteous, deemed it 

gc)od 
To wreak tluMr bigotry's relentless 

storms 
On one whose nature was not under- 
stood. 
Ah, wi'lll (u)d's ways are wondrous; it 

may l)e 
His seal hath not been set to man's 

decree. 



POETS OF TILE 0LDE2f TIME. 

TiiK brave old poets sing of nobler 

themes 
Thau those weak griefs which harass 

craven souls; 
The torrent of their lusty nuisic rolls 
Xot through dark valleys of distempered 

dreams. 
But inunnurous pastures lit by sunny 

streams; 
Or, rushing from some mountain height 

of thought. 
Swells to strange meaning that our 

minds have sought 
Vainly to gather from the doubtful 

fleams 



Of our more gross perceptions. Oil, 
their strains 

Nerve and ennoble manhood! no shrill 
cry. 

Set to a treble, tells of querulous woe ; 

Yet nund)ers deep-voiced as the mighty 
main's 

Merge in the ringilove's plaining, or the 
sigh 

Of lovers whispering where sweet rivu- 
lets How . 



"A'Oir, WHILE THE /lEJR-GU.illD." 

Now, while the rear-guard of the flying 

year, 
T\ugged Decendier on the season's verge 
Marshals his pale days to the mournful 

dirge 
Of nuitllod winds in far-ofT forests drear, 
(Jood friend ! turn with nie to our in-door 

cheer; 
Draw nigh; the huge flames roar upon 

the hearth. 
And this sly sparkler is of subtlest birth. 
And a rich vintage, poet souls hoKl 

dear; 
Mark how the sweet rogue wooes us I 

Sit thee doM'u, 
And we will quaff, and ipiaft', and drink 

our till, 
Topping the spirits with a Bacchanal 

crown. 
Till the funereal blast shall wail no more. 
But silver-throated clarions seem to 

thrill. 
And shouts of triumph peal along the 

shore. 



''PEXT IX THIS COMMOX SPHEnE." 

Pknt in this common sphere of sensual 

shows, 
I jtiue for beauty; beauty of fresh mien. 
And gentle utterance, and the charm 

serene. 
Wherewith tiie hue of mystic dream-land 

glows; 



BETWEEN THE SUNKEN SUN AND THE NEW MOON. 



'li 



1 piiH' for liilliiiii luiisic, the repose 


In w ho 


^c fail' heaven a moon of sliadowy 


of low-voiced waters, iii.sosne realm be- 




I'ouiid 


tween 


Wades 


through a fading fall of sunset 


Tiio perfect Adeline, and this clouded 




rain; [balm. 


scene 


Where 


drooping lotos-flowers, distilling 


Of love's sad loss, and passion's mourn- 


Gleam 


by the drowsy streamlets sleep 


ful throes; 




hath crown'd. 


A pleasant country, girt with twilight 


While 


Care forg(!ts to sigh, and Peace 


calm. 




hath Ijalsamcd Pain. 




isirrn-KES the sunken sun and the new moon." 



Bktweex the sunken sun ami the new 

moon, 
I stood in fi(dds through which a rivulet 

ran 
With scarce perceptible motion, not a 

span 
Of its smooth surface trembling to the 

ttme 
Of sunset breezes: "O delicious boon," 
I cried, "of quiet! wise is Nature's 

plan, 
Who, in her realm, as in the soul of 

man, 



Alternates storm with calm , and the loiul 
noon 

With dewy evening's soft and sacred 
lull: 

Happy the neart that keeps Us twilight 
hour. 

And, in the depths of heavenly peace 
reclined. 

Loves to commune with thoughts of 
tender powei'; 

Thoughts that ascend, like angels beau- 
tiful, 

A shining Jacob's ladder of the mind." 



28 



SONNMTS. 



Yk itli-nsiinl myllis of IIM. why have ye 

ll.'d ? ' 
'Vlw oiirlli liJis t'alliMi rinm li.'i- blissful 

piimc 
Of sum HUT years, I he di'ws of ihal swccl 

I inic 
Alt' \\ il li.Ti'il on ils :;arlanils sci'c and 

d.M.l. 

No lonniT ill l!u' Mill' licids ovcriicad 
Wt" list the rust linn of iimiiortal wiiiijs. 
Or liail at (>v(> Iho kindly visilluns 
Of ji'tMitli' (irnii lo fail' fortunos wod: 
The seas \\:\\c lost I heir Ncroids. the sad 

slrcanis 
'I'lu'ir i^oKMiaircd liabilanls, llic nioim- 

I aiiis ioui' 
'riiosc liapi'v Oreads, and llic blil lu'sonu" 

lOlU' 

Of rail's sofi pip.' inclls only in onr 

dreams; 
KilfniJN fall the old faith's broken uleains 
On onr dull hearts, cold as sepuleliral 

stone. 



<) <-■()/).' friiAT ai.ouiors skasoxh 
ni.Fss III) ivoui.n : 

O (ionl what tjlorious seasons bl(>ss thy 

world! 
Seel the traui'ed winds are nestliu'; on 

the deep. 
The li'iiardiau heaviuis unclouded viuil 

keep 
O'er the mute earth; the beai'h birds" 

w in_u,s are furled 
(i host -like !U\(1 u;r;vy, where the dim bil- 
lows eiu'led 
l.a/ilv lip the sea-strand, sink in 

sleep. 
Save when ilu> random tish with liulit- 

ninu ii>ap 
Flashes above them, the far skv's im- 

pearle.l 
Inland, with lines of silvery smoke that 

j;leam 
Ipward from ipiiet hon ,\>steads, thin 

auil slow : 



'I'lio sunset uirds me like a ij;orij;eous 
dream 

rreguanl with splendors, by whose mar- 
vellous spell. 

Senses and soul are thished to one deei> 
,ulow. 

The i^oldeii mooil of tlu>u,i;lils inelTable! 



•• i/(i\(; /•///• rrrii rin /urrnixa 
/.■/■/■ /■_■• 

.\io\(; the iiath lliy bleedini;- feet have 

trod, 
O ( 'liiisi ill 11 Mother! do the mart \ r-years. 
Crow ned w itii suffering tliroiii;li the mist 

of tears ItJod; 

I'plifl their l>ro\\s, t horu-eireleil, iiulo 
Most billerlv our l''athei'"s .■liasieiiinL; rod 
Math ruled within lli\ term {^( mortal 

da>s. 
Vet in thy soul sprini;- up the tones of 

praise. 
I''ri'ely as tlowcrs frtnn out a burial-sod: 
Nor hath a tireK>ss faith <>ssa\ed in vain 
To win from sivrrovv that diviner rest. 
>\'liieli, like a sunset, pui'idiui;' ihronuh 

the rain 
Of d\in^' storms, maketh tlie darkness 

blest; 
(irit>f is iraustiL;itrt>d. and dethroned 

Fears. 
Tale ill the Lilory beekoniii!;- from the 

West. 



•■ /•()(> (»/••/• /■///: /•(>/'/' IX i:i..ii!Oi!.iTi-: 
ri-i;si:r 

Too oft the poet in eiaboral<> verse. 
Flushed w ith muunt images and gorgeous 

tropes, 
Oasteth a doubtful liuht, whieh is not 

hope's. 
On the dark spot vvheri> Heath hath 

sealed his curse 
In inoiiunieutal sileiiee. Nature starts 
Indignant from the saerilege of words 
That ring so hollow, and forlornly girds 
ller groal woo round her; there's no 

triek of Art's. 



MOUNTAIN SONNETl-i—a(JMI'()SI<:i> IN AdTIIMN. 29 



lint shows iiiDsl, i;li;istly hy u iii;vv-rii;ul(! 

toiiili. 
/ sec IK) liiiliii ill <;ilc;i(l; lie is lost, 
'I'Im; hcaiilU'iil soul Mial, lovcil line, lliy 

lilV's IiIdoiii, 
Is willirrcd liy Ww. smldcii l)li;_!jil,iii^ 

trosl ; 
<) (iiicl! lidu iiii;^lity ; ('reeds! how 

viiiii ye iin;: 
Kiiilli iiiesscs eh)sely, — Ile.'ivon is cold 

:iiiii I'lii'. 



Mot • \ I'M X SO X X a; ts. 

I Will I "■11 on run- o( I Ik- I'.lni: kiilK<; raiini', of 
.\louiil,;iiiiH. I ■ 

IIki;i: let me pause; hy tlie \<>n(: (;a|;;l(;'s 

liesi,, 

Aim! hre.dhe, llie ;^o!ileii sniili;^lil, and 

sweet, air, 
W'liirji ;;ird and .'^ladilcii ;dl I his region 

lair 
Willi a iieriKftnal hfiiiison of icsl,; 
J.ik(!af(rand piiriiosc I hat, some god hath 

hlest, 
'riif, iinmemorial mountain secerns l,o rise, 
Yearning to oveilo)) diviner skies. 
Though ino;iaroh of I he i>om|is of Ivist 

and \Vest; 
.\iid poiKlering liero, the genius of the 

height 

<,)uie|<(iis iny soul as if an angel spalie, 
And 1 riiii IVil old chains (if custom 

hivak-, llight; 

And old amhilions start, to win the, 
,\ ralni resolve horn with llieiii, ill whose, 

might, 
I thank thee, Heaven I that nohle 

thoughts awake. 

Here, friend! iijioii this lofty ledge sit 

(low II, 

And vii'W the heauteoiis prosper't spread 
hejow, 

Around, ahove us; in Hk; noonday glow 

How ealni the landscape rests! yon dis- 
tant town, 

Knwrcathed with clouds of foliage like a 
crown 



Of rustic honor; the .soft, silvery How 
Of the cl(;a,r stream heyoiid it, and the 

si low 
Of endless wooded heights, cireliii'^ tli<! 

hi'ow n 
Aiitiiiiiiial lields, alivi! with hillowy 

grain ; 
S;iy ! hast, thou ever gazed on a light more 

fail- 
in l'Jiiop(-, or the Orient'.' What, do- 

ni;iin 
( h'rom iiiili;! to the sunny slopes of 

Spain) 
Hath l)i-a,uty, wed to gia.ndeiii 'm the air, 
IJIessed with an ampler (-harm a, niore 

henignant ridgii '.' 

'I'Ih; rainhows of the heaven ;i,re not more 

rare, 
.Mor<! various and more heaiitiriil to view. 
Than tli(-se rich foi(-st, rainhows, dipped 

in dew 
or morn and evf-ning, glimmering every- 
where 
l'"rom wooded (h-ll to dark hliie moiiii- 

laiii mere; 
O Autumn I Wdiidrous p;iint.er! every 

hue 
Of thy immoitiil peiu-il is st,e(-p(;(l 

throii-h 
With ess(!nce of divinity; how hare 
IJesidc thy coloring l,li(! jioor shows of 

aVi , 

Though Art were lliricft inspiiftd; in 

dr(!a,nis a,lon(' 
(TIk! lofti(!st dreams wherein the, soul 

lakes part) 
Of jasper iiavenients, and the safiphire 

throne 
Of Heaven, li;illi such iinearlhly hriglit- 

ness shoiK! 
'I'o Hush and thrill the visionary heart! 



COMI'OSICh IX Aim/ MX. 

Willi lhes(! dead leaves stripjied from a 

withei'(!(l tree. 
And slowly (luttering round us, gentle 

fri(;nd, 



80 



SONNETS. 



8oim> f;iithU>ss soul :i sad prosaiiv iiiiiiht 

M.'ii.l; 
To mi> llu'v l>rin,u a h;ii'i>i>M- au.muv ; 
Livos thai shall bKu>Hi in iivnial sun- 

shMU> t'lVl\ 
Nursi'i! hy I ho siu'll i.ovo's dews au.l 

lin>(VOs s.'ikI, 
And wlu-u ;( kiiidh Kato shall speak tho 

,Mld. 

Powu droi'P'",- '" Tiuio's aiiluiun si- 

loiiih ; 
AH iii>|H's lullUl<-d, all passions duly 

l.l,«ssod. 
l,il\'"s cup ot' uladnoss draiutHl. oxi-cpt 

llu- Kvs. 
No luoio lo I'oar in* loui^ tor. hut tlio ' 

r>-sl 
Which I'lowns existence with its dream- 1 

los case; | 

Thus when our days arc v\\>i.\ oh I let us I 

fall " I 

Inlo thai pt-rt'ect react- which wails tor 

all! 



anr.tr rorrs .t\n sma/.i.. 

SiiM.i. I no! t'alter on n\elodious w inj;'. 
In that n»y notes are weak and may not 

ris(> 
■Po those world-wide entranciti-; harmo- 
nies. 
Which the jiivat poets to the a^cs sii\j;'.' 
Shall my Ihouuhi's humble heaven i\o 

lons;er rinu 
AVith pleasant lays, heeanse the empyreal 

heisiht 
Stn-tches beyond it. liftinsi' to tho light 
The anointed pinion of sonu's radiant 

kinsi? jtlight 

Ahl a false thought 1 the thrush her titful 
Veutmes in vernal dawns; a happy note 
Trills fron» the russet linnet's gentlo 

throat. 
Though far above the eagle soars in 

might. 
And tho glad skylark — an ethereal 

n\ot e — 
Sings m high realms that mock our 

strainins; siirht. 



.1/)' .srrny. 

This is my world! within these narrow- 
walls. 
1 own a princely service: the hot care 
And inuuilt of our frenzied life are 

here 
Uut as a ghost, and echo; what befalls 
hi the far mail lo me is less than 

naught ; 
I walk llic lieUls of quiet Areadies. 
And wander by the brink of hoary 

seas. 
Calmed to the tendance of untrouhled 

thought : 
Ov if a livelier humor should enhance 
The slow-timed i>ulse, "lis not for present 

strife. 
The sorditl zeal with which our age is 

rife. 
lis mammon eonlliets crowned by fraud 

or chance. 
Ihit gleamings of the lost, heroie life. 
Flashed through the gorgeous vistas of 

romance. 



TO . 

l>i.i,infei>! in this holy hush of night. 
1 know that thou art looking to the 

South. 
Fair face and conlial brow bathed in the 

light 
0( tender Heavens, and o'er thy deli- 
cate month 
A dewy gladness from thy dark eyes 

" sited : 
O eloiiucnt eyes! that on the evening 

spreail 
The glory of a radiant world of dreams 
(The inner moonlight of the soul that 

dims 
This moonlight of the sensel. and o'er 

thy head. 
Thrown back, as listening to a voice of 

hymns. 
Perchance in thine own spirit, violet 

ii'leams 



TO W. H. H. — LINES. 



31 



From modest flowers tliaL deck iIk; 

window-hiir.s, 
While the wmds sigh, and sing the far- 
off streams, 
And a faint bliss seems droi»ping from 

llie stars. 
Ol pour tliine inmost soul upon tlie air 
And trust to heaven the secrets that 

recline 
In the s\\(!et nunnery of thy virgin 

breast ; 
Speak to the winds that v.ander every- 

wh<?re, — 
And sure must wandei' hitlier — Ihc; 

divine 
Contentment, and the infinite, deep 

rest 
That sway tliy passionate Ijeing, and lift 

high 
To the calm realm of Love's eternity, 
The jjassive ocean of thy charmed 

thought; 
And tell the aei'ial element to bear 
The biu'den of thy whispered heart to 

me, 
liy fairy alchemy of distance wrought 
To something sacred as a saintly prayei', 
A spell to set my nobler nature free. 



TO IF. II. II. 

How like a mighty picture, tint by tint. 
This marvellous world is opening to thy 

vi<nvl 
Wonders of earth and heaven; shapes 

bright and new, 
.Strength, radiance, beauty, and all things 

that hint 
Most of the primal glory, and the print 
Of angel footsteps; from the globe of 

dew 
Tiny, but luminous, to the encircling 

blue, 
Unbounded, thou drink'st knowledge 

without stint; 
Like a pure blossom nursed by genial 

winds. 
Thy innocent life, expanding day by day. 



Upsprings, spontaneous, to the perfect 
flower; 

Lost Eden-splendors i-ound tliy path- 
way play. 

While o'er it rise and Ijurn l,he starry 
signs 

Which h(!rald hope and joy to souls of 

pOWf.'l'. 

J pray the angel in whose hands th(!sum 

Of mortal fates in mystic darkness li(!s, 

That to the soul which fills thes<! deep- 
ening eyes. 

Sun-crowned and clear, the spirit of 
Song may coin<;; 

That strong-wing(!d fancies, with melo- 
dious hum 

Of plumed vans, may touch to sweet sur- 
prise 

His i)0(!t nature, boiii to glow and rise, 

And thrill to worshi]) llioiigh IIk; world 
b(! dumb; 

That lov(;, and will, and genius, all may 
blend 

To make his soul a guiding star of time. 

True to the purest thought, the nobl(!St 
end, 

Full of all richness, gentle, wise, com- 
plete, 

In whose still heights and most ethereal 
clime, 

Beauty, and faith, and plastic passion 
meet. 



LINKS. 



Yk cannot add by any pile ye raise. 
One jot or tittle to the statesman's 

fame; 
Tliat the world knows; to the far future 

days 
Belongs his glory, and its radiant (lame 
Will' burn, when ye are dead, decayed, 

forgot ; 
Therefore, your opposition matters not; 
The. thin-masked jealousies of present 

time, 
Unljuried in his grave, survive to keep 



:i'j 



sowrrrs. 



IJ;mi|iiml (In- hale lir ili-t'uicil his lii:'Jics( 

1-iaiM'. 
All. I llir iiiilr (lash ol' (lisconl o\'v liis 

sK-rp; 
liiil lor Ills ui'o.'il. wise arts, his t'ailh 

suhliun-, 
All that till' soul <>r !',i'iuiis sancliruvs, 
/'//I'M' moiiiu w lu'i.' \ ilt-r passions caiiuol 

.liml., 
77(t'.v'r li\<' \\lu-i'i> iiaNicil malice t'aiiils 

tuiil (lios. 

Still MHist tho coinmoii \iii.'i> (liMhumcc 

tho (looil. 
riif i-oiiiinou heart swell with an out 

raiAtHJ pritle. 
Thai llie poor piuehase o\ thai palli'v 

luee.l 
His eoiinlry »>\\etl liiin shoiil.l he thus 

ilenietl ; 
Shame k^w tin- Senate". shan\e on e\(>i'y 

hau>l 
\\ hieh (li.l not (alter when reeonlini; 

there. 
The has(\st aei aehlevotl l\>ruiai\y a year. 
Vo liro lln> seoni of tho whole Sonlltern 

laiiil: 
N»>r the South iMily. to)' our toes will ery 
(hit on yotu' petty paslehoaiil I'ltivalry I 
Tho pev^plo wl\i> ivt'uso to orowii the 

iii'eat 
And s;ooil with honor, do then\sel\es 

eelipse. 
And dvnihly shameless is the reert-aut 

State. 
Whoso eonden>nativ>u eoines t'n>ni her 

ow n lips. 



•'.lY tni.K roKT /)/.'/:. J, u/.Y(.\" 

An idle poot. »livamin.ii in the sm\. 
One siiven to mueh unhallowed va- 

siraney 
<.>t' thouiihi and step; whi>. when he 

e*nnes to die. 



Ill the hroad world I'an point to uolhinu; 

Aou,-: 
No eiiarlered eoiporal ious, no sli'eets 

pave.l 
\\ilh \er\ priueeJN sloiu'work. no vast 

tile 
Of w.areliouses. no slow ly-hoarded pile 
Of priceless treasure, no proud sceptre 

w a\ ed 
O'l'i poieui realius nf slocU. no maji'ie 

an 
l,a\i--iied oil eiii'ioii-. i^ius, or w orUs of 

sieani : 
«>iil\ a few wild soULis thai melt the 

heart. 
Oul\ the ulow of some uneaill\l\ dream. 
i'!ml>oiiii>d aiul iminorial : w hat iU'i- llnvse ',' 
Sneers the sa^e world; eh.alV. smoke. 

\ ain phantasies! 

V<M stock depreciates. e\ (>n hanks iK>eay. 
Mt^rehant iuul jirehitect are lowly laid 
In purple palN. and the shrewd lortls of 

trade 
l.ann-nt. for iliev were wiser in llu>ir 

da\ 
Than the clear sons i>f li^hl ; hut piilhee. 

how 
Poih siautl the matter, when the years 

haxelled: 
What means yon concourse thronjiiuj; 

w here the tiead 
iMd sinjiei";*l*'<'l>"<; ;*;>y ! do they seek hin> 

tiow ".' 
Now that his dus; is .scattered on tlx" 

hreath 
Of c\er\ wind th;it Mows; what meanetli 

this'.' 
It means, ilnm sapioU cili/en. thai 

death 
Heralds the harvl's true life, as with a 

kiss. 
Wakens two innnortalilios; thoi\ how 
To the world's sconi. (.> pool, with calm 

hrow . 



DKAMATK; sic 10 to I IKS. 



DRAMATIC SKETCHES. 



ANTONIO ME LI DO HI. 

[Among the heroes of the moilcrn Greek revohition, none, jx'rhups, were so distinguished for 
acts of individual daring, and a spirit of romantic and chivalrous adventure, as Captain Antonio 
Melidori, a native of Caudia. lie waged against the Turks a partisan conflict, which was 
often eminently successful. Mis own deeds of strength, and rcckhss hardiliood, made him 
terrible to the foe, who were persuaded finally to look upon hini as one uliose life was 
" charmed." 

It did not prove so, however, as he fell a victim to the rage and jealousy of some of his 
own company. Having been invited by the malcontents to a feast, Kousso (the chief of the 
conspirators, whom Antonio appears to have rivalled successfully both in love and war), 
whilst in the very act of embracing the patriot, plunged a dagger into his bosom. 

There is a tradition that .\ntonio loved a beautiful maiden, I'hilota, whom in the stirring and 
anxious scenes of the revolution he was ultimately led to neglect, if not to forsake. A writer 
in "Chambers' .Journal" has from this episode in the private eareerof the (ircck ))artisan taken 
the material for a touching and graphio narrative, which has been closely, olli'u lilcrally 
followed in the comi)osition of the ensuing "sketch."] 



SCENE I. 
[A place not far from the summit of Mount 
I'siloriti, in the Isle of Candia. Philota dis- 
covered with a basket of grapes upon her head; 
she looks eagerly upward. Time, a little before 
sunset.] 

I'liii.cn A. 
Why couh's lie not ".' Hereon this omcr- 

ald swaiil. 
Close to till! cool shiule of tlu'se ancient 

rocks, 
We have met, and fondly lini^ei'ed in the 

snnset, 
Eve after eve, since lirsl lie said, " I love 

thee!" 
Never, Antonio, hast tlion hcen ere now 
A loiterer! wlierefore should my heart 

heat fast. 
Ami my lircath tiiickeii, ami the dew of 

fear 
Stand chill ui>on my forehead ? ls"t an 

omen ? 

[At this moment Antonio is seen l/oiinilinii 
quickly down ttic moiinldin ; Iw nitcliis I'liilola 
and embraces her.] 



ANTONIO. 

Thou hast waited lorn;, I'hilcjta. hasttliou 
not ? 

I'lIII.OTA. 

'Tis true, Antonio! hut thou know'st an 

hour. 
Nay, a hare minute, di'ags the weariest 

lentith 
When thou art from nie! 

ANTONIO. 

Thanks, dearest, and, forgive me, 
I did hut dream upon the hill-top yonder 
•Vnd, dreaming thus, forgot thee. 

I'lIII.OTA. 

Forgot me ! 

ANroNIo. 

Nay, nay, I mean not thai! thy face, thy 

smiles. 
Thy deep devotion, in my heart of hearts, 
I keep them shrined forever, hut my 

thoiighis 
Turned truant; who can hold his 

thoughts, I'hilota, 
In a leash always ? prithee rcascend 



•M\ 



DBA MA TIC SKt: TCHES. 



'rii(> luoimiMiii wiiii nil". I woiiM sliow 

llio place 
Wliicli li'in|tl("il tuy weak lliouuhls lo 

waiuU'i' thus. 

[Tlici/ tvach lh(' most ehrnlal /lortioii ({(' the 
moHutniii. u'liviit't' a with- vhviiit i\f' land <uiil 
sta lucoiiuii visibU:] 

nm.oT A. 
How iH\miit'ulI liow ulorituis! si'o, my 

low. 
TluMc's i\oi a I'louil. oi shadow of cloud 

iu lu\uou : 
l''.\iMi luM'o, tho wiuils hr(\uho I'aiully. 

auil alar 
(,>\m' ihc iM'oad I'in'UU of llu< waltMv 

r.ihu. 
IVaoo htoods upou iho ocoau. rules iho 

air. 
Auil up ilu' suusot's ila/./.liu^- \KUh\vay 

w.ilks 
Like a saiui euliMiu^' Taradise. 

■ Twere sweet. 
How swiHM. .\iUouii>. amid seeues like 

these. 
To live aud loxe t'oieverl 

\\ ioM(> \,(!>s,iill!/\. 

Dost thou think so? 
Ay I — well — pei'haps 

IMltl.Ol'A. 

lie lu>eds me not. his oyo 
Is eold aiul steru: what tixnihles thoo. 
Aiitouio '.^ 

AMOMO. 

Ti'oublel I am uoi troubled. 

IMllI Ol A. 

Uut thou ait. 
1 know thou an; would'st thou deeeivo 
riiilota ? 

AMOMO. 

Now by the saiiUs. uot so; dismiss tho 

tear 
\Vhieh. like a treiuuKMis shadow, breaks 

the eahu 
<.>!' those soft eyes'. \(\l'f<r a ptottic] 

The matter, in brief, is this: 
I'raekiuc. our mouutaiu paths at early 

dawn. 
Kousso — t hou know est him — hailed me 

fiXMU the roeks. 



Willi words ll\al sounded like llie battle 

iiiuuiH'ts: 
'"It eouiesi" he eried ; "the war-eloud 
rolls Ibis way ; 

We loo shall lu'ai- iis Ibuuders " 

luiii orA. 

Ay I aud feel 
Its bolls peicliauie. — there's lightning 
iu sueb eloudsl 

AN lOMO, 

>Vhat if there bcl who would uot brave 

ibeni all. — 
All. loi- a eause Wkc ours'.' Hetiexe me. 

l.ove. 
We stand upou the brink of troublous 

limes: 
All shall beeliauued lune: men. — brave 

(ireeiau men. — 
Tin- blood of heroes iu ihem. — eaunot 

pause. 
."storiuL; the honey, harvestiui; the olive. 
Or humbly following the tame hei\ls- 

u\an"s trade. 
Whilst Fri><>dom ealls to eonlliei. 

Look. I'hilola! 
Dost mark ytui lurid llash aeross the bay? 
(.hir soliliers test their oannoul hark. 

below. 
The drums of AtTeudouli — lun\ they 

ring I 
Already tlun\sauds of bold mountaineers 
lla\e formed beneath his banners; dost 

thou hear me? 

IMIII orA. 
.Vnd wotddst tlion wish to join ihem? 

Ah! I see. 
1 see it all I — a troublt> on thy brow. 
IwM'ue upward from the restless glotmi 

w ithiu. 
Hath elouded o'er thy peaee. L — a 

frail girl. 
.Vnd gifted only with the wealth of lovo, 
How ean I satisfy the bnrtting need 
Of a strong man's ambition? Yes. tis .so, 
'Tis oven sol — lovo is the woman's 

heaven. 
Her hope, her god. her life-blood.' yet 

to man. 
What is it but a p.vstinie? 



ANl'OMO .]//<: IJDoUf. 



87 



ANTONIO. 

Spciilc liol I llllS 

Oh, speak no(- llnis, I'liilolal I liavc 

loved 
'IMiee, nlily lliee, — so liel|) nir, Vir'^in 

.Mnlher: 
lilll (■<I||||■.H||•^ t'inlil uliosc lips a laiiiil is 

l.iiier, 

Have ilaivil lo liiiil 

I'liii.orA. 

W'hal! 

ANIOMO. 

'I'lllil I I'liose io sliiy, 
Hnlviiii;, liki' some Icise sla\e, oiir bar- 

lel) M)il, 

Wlieii iKil :i Splialiiote lli.'il. can eaiTy 

ai'iiis 
JIas failed lo seize llieiii. I,iafs! pesli- 

leiil liars, 
I woidd liavi- proved iIk; falsehood were 

il not, 

i-iiii.orA. 

For' Ilie - I'llilola! — well! I love lliee 

dearly. 
Deeply, — ■('•(III knows, — liiil, I would 

lia\e l.his love 
To erown lliee as a ;i;arl;nid, — nol, as a 

chain 
'I'o hind and U:lU:v — llion art frei-, Aii- 

foniol — 

ANTOMO. 

I!ul hasf llion Uioii<{hl, of aU whieh fol- 
lows 111 is'.' 
'I'hon shall, Ix; U;U, alone, no hritlal feast 
<.'aii (.■lie(!r Llie olive harvest,! 
I'Jiii.orA. 

I have Ihoii'jht, 
And am detciniined ; — liioii art, free;, 
Aidonio! 

A NIOMO. 

Oh, tliMiiks. th;in!<s, thanks! — lift, up 

l.hy hopes, l'hilol;i, 
Up to till! licii^lit of mine! onr cause is 

Just, 
And a just I'at*' shall '4u;ird it; wheie- 

soe'er 

Fn!(; lliou^^hl liiids utterance, and the 
jiat riot-soul 



Thrills ;it the decMJs of JUiroes, — \Ne may 

look 
l*'or ;i "(iod speed!" 'i'he pi;iyeis of 

liolile mi'li, 
'i'he le;irs of women, — I he whole V\drl(rH 

:i ppkiuse 
Do \Miil upon us ! 

Methinks I see the end. 
A fi'ce, ;4rand < oiniuon v\cii,lt li of firc- 

eiaii Stiites, 
I'liilt iiixm cli;irleri'd riL;ht-s, — each 

sciiled with hiood ! 

IMIII.orA. 

I'lnoii'.;!! ! enoiv^h! ;\iitouio, thou slialt 

-o! 
(Greece is Ihy mislri'ss, now. 

SCKNK II. 
I'l'lic rni\:,ii>- of I'jiilel.ii, ;il III.- loot.ol' .Mdiiiit 
i'Hiloi-ili. riiiluliL clJHcovi'l'cil ;il, lliii VVlliilow, 
li)okiii;j; oiil, ii|><>ii I Ik; iii^lit, wliii^li in bleak 
ami Hlnniiy. | 

IMIII.ol A. 

IliU'k! how those lusty t iiimpetiirs, the 

winds, 
l'ri,'e on the hl;ick h;itt;ilioiis of the 

clouds; 
,\iid see! the swollen ri\ulels rushing; 

dow n 
The sides of I'silorili! ^esterdiiy, 
'Neath till- clear c;dm of Hie scroriest 

morn 
I'i.iith ever stole from I'aradise, llu-y 

swept, 
IJri^lit cuives of lau.^hin;^ silver in llie 

siuishine.; 
IJiit now, an overniiislerini^ rusii of 

Hoods, 
'I'hey thunder to tin- hciiveiis, that an- 
swer l);iek 
From tlie wild depths of j;Ioom, — iui 

awful l,eni|)esl I 

[/'.'it/ir A.vro.Nio /inH/i/i/.] 
AN'rOMo. 

Whert! is tlie priest, I'liilolai* when! is 

An(hc;is.^ 
Was he not her" to-ni;,dit'' 

I'llll.OIA. 

Ay! hut lefi sonic li;ilf hour since! 



38 /'/i'.i.i/.r/vc sKi:rc/n-:s. 



AXTON'io. liorsso. 

W'liMl sMv you? Why. wluil means lliis? 

Oh, Ihc piv>r I'ailii'i ! - ilun "iwas liiiu I j 1 looked lor kindlier weleoniel 

saw riiii.or v. 

I'eiil "iw i\l ihe niouul:i in lori'iMils: luMS WhtTet'ore. Kousso? 

lost! AVlial lliou hast asked. 1 ^yrant. — pro- 

Tlit^ Liood old man! — and yei. not so. teetion. sht^lter: 

not snI Dnist llion elaini nioi'e llian these? 

(;i\ e n\e \ on oaken statY. — and. hold : a i;,n »,i. 

''•'^'^ r lailh tliy temper is most strange and 

Ot' the best viniaiie: Til he hack anon. wavwardl 

Anil the dear lather wiili me;— Ueeause. some nu>nihs a-one. not quite 

[l-Mt .tntoiiio. J'liilota kiu,/g hc/oiv all hihUH' ] myselt. 

of the rh-;iiii,ttii<l pmiin/oi' tlir sn/tt!/ of litr ' I ventured at the harvest of Iheolixe. 

lover, .^/'((•r the litpnc o/tsoiiic iiiiniitcs, inter i I'pou one innoeeni liheity 

/{oiigfso Mt'iiHIiilji, irmii/Hil in a cloak, irliicli Pllii oi' \ 

partlj/ (\wctals liis/(.'ittun\i.\ ' \,, lii^.i-iy 

norsso l,^^v•</. 1. | ^vi,h me. at least, hold man! is'.'ated 

Faith! a prel.t.y plot uiv! ' llin<' 

Now. uoro I what fool$ call pootioal, '■ \uns<.o. 

\\\ worship her. whilst she adores tho , ,,,, ,,.j,,,„ ,,,^„ , „^,, ,„„ ,„,.,,>„•. 



r.lame the hot wine of Cyprus; spare 



saint. — 
A loveliersainl herself, and nearer truly vonr slave! |/r»<r//)nA| 

'I'o the just stauiiard of divinity 
'Thau yonder luiiuted image; there's the 

enr\e. 
'The old lireekenr\e. in the voluptuons 

swell 



riui.or.v. 

A slave, indeed! — 

i;oi ss,). jlota; 

Unt oniM\ho stoops to eoiuiner. fair IMii- 

,..,,, .. ,, ,. ., . . , If 1 have knelt, 'tis onlv that 1 mav 

(M those full lips; the passion 111 ln>r eves ,,. , , , :, . ,, , ", 

, , , , ' , , .' I'l^o thus, and elasi> thee. Hold, no 

Is shadowed ott to melaucholv lueamng. ■• i- i • 

.■> 1 . I . • 1- i-V ' toolish ones. 

(•ulv to waken to meruliau life, >.. , . ,. , r,,, . , . 

,,., ■ ,., ... ., „ No weak, vain stnmiiliims. Hunk si 

u hen a like passion touehos It to uamo. ,, , , ^', " 

, . , thon that the storm 

riiiLOTA \iu-a>/i)iii\. ,, ,. , ,, , . . , 

.. , ,, , , ' leahim adowii the mountains rugged 



Oh. lueiviful Mother! save him, — save 
Antonio I 



steeps 
Can hear these feeble wailiugs to thy 
friends? 



Oh. potent Devil! elaiiu liiiu.— elaim ,, ,,\"., , , ... ,, , ,. . 

. . , ( ome. eome. riulota ! — it thon eould st 

Antonio! , ,. 

AA-1 I 1 11 , ■ 1 , ,. believe it. 

What! shall this ma apert hov dispute • .i .i ■ . .• .i i 

, ,, ' • ' 1 am the very worthiest ot thy vassals: 

• *^' List for an instant, while I paint the 

[Philota, »'i,<i»i</, tli-troiYra A'oh.n-.w, toir<ii\l-< j heuitv 

«*:7:;!tf^?'!f'^r'''VJ'''7'''^''''''''''^'''; ' Of a far Kdou" waiting for the li^ht. 

«,< {t aliout to cant ftcr.Nv/r nito /(»,< (»n(i,<, Init ... 

./».<.-, .rcW 11./ lur tnvr, slu'shrinka thick:] ' •><' sunda wn ot t hine eyes : — 

iMULOiw. .Vmid the waves 

A\ni horo! Of the .Kgean. bosomed in the calm 

uoisso l(T(?r(ni("(»</l. Of ovor-during summer, sleeps an isle 

1 eravo proteolion. shelter. — may I st."\y? Wlu'ieou the oeean ripples into mnsie; 

I'lui.or.v. , Through whose luxuriant wilderness ot 

At a sate distujioo. Sir! ' blooms. 



ANTOMJO MI:LII)(}I1L 



:{!) 



The soft winds sigh tlicir hn^aUi away in 

(iniaiiis, 
Where — (f-hr; dctiee falte im! I forgrjt 

my i)art) — 
Wlifif — wiicre — wJHtn; — i' hooMi, a 

To li\c. Id Iov<!, to (lie ill, and roviHil, 
I''roiii till- sad val(! of Hliadovvs, willi a 

tfillcll 

Of mortal fondness, ovrMinastering deatli : 
Wilt tlioii ^'o tliithi'r witli me'.' Nay, 
liioii must I 

[Ah Kouhho atlfrnptH In cfirry I'hUota from 
the. o.]iarlmt-nl, nlie rrcorcrH, "nd, Ij)/ n muldan 
effort, reteancH htrgi-.l.f from, hen arms.] 

itors.so. 
Pardon, i'iiilola! 'tis my eager love 
Whieli tlins liatli urged me on; lliou 

tremblest! wliat ? 
I would not mal<(' th«!e fear inc. 

IMII/.OI A. 

Fear! fear! 
If my eheek pales, it is not eowardiee 
Tliat plays the tyrant to the exiled 

blood ; 
If my framf! trembles, tliere are other 

moods 
'i'lian that thoii sx)eak'st of, to unstring 

its firmness; 
Tliy presence brings no terrors ; dost tlnju 

talk 
Of fear to a Greek wf>man '.' 

IJOI.SSO. 

No! no! not fear, hut love! 

i'/ii;,oi A. 
Man, man! i pray thee 

IJlaspheme not thus! what canst thou 
know of h>ve ? 

'Tis true thou speak'st it boldly; from 
thy lips 

The word falls witli a rounded fidlness 
off, 

And yet, beli«;ve me, thou hast used a 
phrase, 

(A sacred phrase, and wreteh(;dly pro- 
faned), 

Wiiidi, were thy years tliriee lengtliened 
out l>eyond 



The general limit of our mortal lives, 
And thou be made to pass through all 

extrtiines 
Of multiform experience, it could never 
Kntcr thy sonlid soul to eom|)reli(;nd ! 

liOISSO. 

Hravely delivered I by my soul, I third< 
W'c both makf; good deelaiiners! Wlieie 

did'st leai'u 
That pretty speeeji, Philota ? 

I'/lll-OI A. 

Wilt thou leave nie? 
norrsHo. 
I'shaw! thou art less than courteous. 

Leave thee ? no! 
I will not leave thi:(-! Hark ye, my proud 

damsel, 
I am iifjt oni'- with wliom 'tis safe to 

trifle, 
Tliou knowest, or shalt know tliis; so, 

mark my words, 
Long have I wooed thee fairly, would 

have won thcf;, 
Yea, and endowed thee with hot h w<!alth 

and station; 
Twice hast thou iK^anl my proffer, twice 

with loathing 
Sifunied it, and me; I shall not woo thee 

thrice 
With honeyed words; no, 'tis the strong 

ann now. 
fain j;r(!pared lor;di: erjme on ! 

(//(? Hfizi-H /'hilotii, a Hfroiul timi-, hut, f.nlc.r on 
tkc iiiHldiil yUifonio, v>il.h the Monk Andrr'tin 
Ic'ininr/ upon, him.'] 

IMIII-OTA l/'lillth/]. 

Saved ! saveil ! 

AN TON- 10. 

Ila, Iiousso, I have lieard it whispered 
oft 

Amongst tliy watcliful brethren in this 
isle. 

That underneath that smooth and flatter- 
ing front 

'{'here lurked a mine of blackest villany! 

Faith! ] denied it once; what shall I 
say 

When next the public voice decries you, 
sir ? 



40 



DRAMATIC SKETCHES. 



KOISSO. 

A jost I 1 do nssmt' you hul :i ji^st ! 
This I'loak, wlucli in your scll-tUnotcd 

lli-ht. 
To rescuo Ihc doar I'atlier. Andreas 
(How tilad 1 am to sec his; saintship 

salV), 
You droi>i>t'd .sonu> furlonjis from the 

mountain's haso, 
I (MSt, in sjioilivo fashion, on my person. 
And deeming tliat riiilota would rejoiee 
To liear that thou luul'si so far hravi>d 

I lie fon'(> 
C th' Ireaeherous elements, I ealled 

upon her; 
She did me the vast honor to coufound 
Your hnmhle servant with Antonio, 
And "ere 1 was aware, sprang to my 

arms. 
With such a blinded cestasy of rapture. 
That 1 had welhiigh sunk into the earth. 
From the mere stress of native modesty! 
A jest, a jest, and nothing but a jest. 

ANTONIO. 

ijueh jesting may be dangerous, — be- 
ware! 

8CENK III. 

[A yoar is suiniosoil to li;ivo clapsotl. The 
town of Siil\aki:i al'li-r uiiilulall. Kiitor ooii- 
tui^oilly a liaiul of Sphakiote soldiers, witli 
Koussoaiiuiiiy;st them. Tlie streets are erowded 
■\vith women, many of whom jvre heard lanienl- 
ing the death of Antonio :Melidori.] 

Kousso [in a dhijuhcd voice]. 
"Why will ye elantor thus, ye foolish 

jades ? 
Your handsome favorite, your renowned 

commander. 
Is no more dead than 1 am! 

A WOMAN. 

Say'st thou so? 
"Where, then is INIt^lidori ? 

i{i>vsso \fitiU disuKixinii iiis voice]. 

AVould'st thou learn ? 
Women of Sphakia, your immaeulate 

captain. 
Ho for whose welfare, upon beudi'd 
knees, 



Ve nightly pray to heaven, whose name 

your infants 
Lisp in their very slumbers, hath be- 

1 rayed us! 
Hold! lu'ar me out! I am no tlnbious 

w iluess; 
Thriee. whilst the battle raged along our 

front. 
I saw the traitor creeping like a dog 
Uetween the Turkish outposts! 

[Autonlo crppems in tlir r,i(r. iriUi a child in 
/lis arms.] 

ANTONIO. 

It is false! 
Here is your leader, Sphakiotes; what 

base slanderer 
Dares to pronounce me traitor? 1 but 

paused 
To save this weeping innocent, whose 

mother 
Fell by some coward's sword! 

KOUSSO. 

Ila, Sphakiotes. see, 
The noble INFelidori waxes tender. 
Soft as a woman! he must love the 

Moslem, 
Who fosters thus their otYspring! by the 

saints 
A lusty brat ! He'll thrive, good friends, 

believe me. 
And grow betimes, to cut our infants' 

throats! 

ANTONIO. 

Let him who speaks stand foith: 1 \\ ould 

confront 
.My bold accuser. WhM ! he clings to 

the dark! 
Fit place for lies and liars! 

Friends. 1 scorn 
To parley with t lus viper; there's a way. 
One only way. to deal with reptiles, 

crush them. 
Thus, thus, and thus, 
^^'hen they have crawled too near us; 
[Sttimpituj riolciitly upon the earth.] 

Till then, why let the ugly beasts hiss 

on. 
Ami spit their harmless venom. 



AN'w.\'io Mi':ni)()i:i. 



41 



I'l'nriiiiif/ /<i the ii'niiii'ii.\ 

Mot licr.H, \\i\cH, 
iM,•lill(•ll:^ of Siili;il<lii, iiii' llidr mine 

aiiioiinsl, y<' 
Wrndy !'• I^ilii" I lii'^ I II I'll iiiiriiil iiiiiili' '.' 
.Iiisl. U)V my sake, lair i-omil ry wmiii'ii, 

lisl, 

l-isl III llic lijcsscij unlil: — "'i'lic llliTii 
IMJ 

.Sliall nlilaiii iiirrcy ! "" 

UOIISSO. 

Ilci'il liiiii mil , I say, 
lilll. sri/.c I hr iiiliili'l u |ji'l|i, anil Irl liim 

rork 
On a sill! Iiiiyomi I Wlial I have \vc rc- 

,.i-ii.-:i 

'rii(» iuvadinij; I'm', rxhi niinalnl wliolly 
1 1 isi I'drccs ami liis <'m|ii rr, I lial, w r daii' 
('liiTisli Ills ciiliM anion'.', us'.' anil lor 

wliat/.' 
" .Iiisl, for Ills sake, lair lonni ry \Mimin, 

— liis, 
Ami niiirv'i.' " W'lio ^Imwi'il niricy lo 

(inr I'liilili'i'n, 
Willi! Ilii- 'i'ln-k lava'M'il Srio V 'I'lu- 

yonii',,^ ilr\ il, - 
llrar liDW 111' Jiiii'k^! Iio! .srmi him 

iloun li> lull! 
Down to his lalln'rl ii"'s ;i ^raJi'l'iil 

s|iiiil, 
A ml t liankl'iil I'lir ^ mall I'as'ors ! 

['I'lif ridiril hriini In iiniriiiiir. iniil iiiiirr lltrcal- 
iiihiiilii hiirarilH ASriiMii.] 

AN lONKi. 

ShaiiH' iipKii yon ! 
TlioiiLili Ihr poor lioy wi'if lilly limt'.s a. 

Mosirm, 

I'll nar him ax my own; In' shall mil, 

liirisli; 
i'rriliami', u ho knows, w In'ii I lia vc diril 

lor yon, 
I'"or yon, iiml (irccjaii lihcrly, IhiH hahc, 
K<!iir»!<l iiH a (ircfk, may yd, uvoiii^c my 

death. 
Ah none of yon, falsi' hrct liicii, dare 

av(!iii;ir it ! 
OiK'c inoi'i! I say, — MoUwiPH, vvivi'H, 

maids of Spliakia, 



Ih there Jiol. one aitioiif^Ht, ye to wliopift 

li'iidanei' 
I may ronimil lliis Iremlilin;^ easla- 
way '.' 

I'llli.oiA \r(il(il\. 
(;ivi' me Ilii- iliild, — I'll nnrliiie him 

u il h lo\ e. 
And •j.i'lillesl, l|sa|;e. 

ANI'o.NK) |.s/ro7/»,'/|. 

Ileavelis! vvlial \'oiee is Ihal '.' 
^'oll hi'ic, I'hilola '.' I had liop.'d yon 

dui'll. 
Saleiy uilliin Hie I'lo.e lie;irl. of I h(! 

nioniila in.! 

I'lllLOIA. 

The moiinlaiiiH are iml safe. 

A.N'Ki.NMI. 

VViiy I hen did'Ht, flioii 
Keep sili'h siriel, sileliee'.' AllHVVer me, 

I'hilola, 
How liasi Ihoii lived. This peasaid.'H 

dress 

I'liii.or A. 

Is litl.eHt 

l''or me, Anlonio, hy my handiuoi'k. 
And daily lahor, I now eai'ii myhread, — 
l''or was il mei'l an iinknovvn peasant, 

J^iil 
Mionld claim, as her helroliied, yrca.l, 

Melidori, 
CJaptiiiii of Spliakia- '.' 

AN roNio. 

<), thou i;e|ie|'oilS lie.irl,! 

Itiil, slay,-- Ihi' rahlile mnsi, nol. eaJeh 

our words; 
Take I lion I he hahe, under I he eil,y- 

walls 
I'll ineel, Ihec in llie " loa ininL,', 

si'i'iNr; IV. 

I ,\ pl.-ii-r. iiiiili-r llin I'K.y widln, - - lliin', iiii hour 
iiUt-r MiiiiHi'r.l 

ANI'ONIO, \flllhril''ilii/ I'MII.fi'l'A roii- 
HlniiiKilhj \. 
How kiml (lion ail,! 

• l-llll,OI'A. 

I Iml oheyed your mandale! 



42 



i)A'.lJ/J/7(' SKh'JVJ/KS. 



ANTONIO. 

Nay, why so voM ? my troth is thhu\ 

i'liiluta, — 
Dost thou rt'iiuMuhor ? 

I'lllI.OTA. 

WouKl'st thou have uio Uo so ? 
Aleihought thai divauj was ovor, — by 
thy wish. 

ANI'ONIO. 

I5y hoavtMiI I novtM- saiil so! 
rim.oTA. 

Yet thy hoart, 
'I'hy hoart, Autouio, spako tho Ivoeu de- 
si iv, 
AUhough ihy Hps kept sileuee; — I luive 

lt>arue»l 
'I'o ivatl thy spirit like an open hook. 
And i-annot beileoeiveil; — all's elianged 

with us; 
Never again, as in the time that's past, 
Shall we, hand linked in haml, explore 

the vales. 
Ch' walk the shining hill-ti>ps; thou hast 

risen 
Far. t'araboM' luy level; a great man. 
Among the greatest, — thou werl mad 

t' espouse 
A humble girl like me; I ask it not; 
My love but burdens thy aspiring hopes, 
So, I beseeeh thee, ilwell no more upon 

it: 
Antonio, for thy welfare I would give 
ily soul's life; shall I then refuse to 

yield 
A pei"sonal joy, that thou may'si win 

and weil 
The immortal virgin — (ilory ? Dream 

it not : 
Oh I di-eam it not I 

AXTOMO. 

Now, gmeious (.iod, forgive me I 
It were pivsnmption, should I kiss thy 

feet. 
Thou V)niv, unseltish woman! yet thy 

wouU- 
Are true, too true, and I dare not giiin- 

Si\y them. 
One thing believe, Vhilota, 1 am 

vvivtehetl. 



Yes, far more so than thou art : 
l.l.;Vt r a iHiti.iti . I 

— Hid' St thou know 

The u-rribii' lilV 1 trad in this dread war- 
tare. 

Through wlial an ainiospiu're o( bK>od 
and earnagi' 

It is my di>oiu (o move, as liirough tln> 
air 

Of some plague-strirken eiiv, thiek with 
eurst's; 

Did'sl know th(> niunbcrless ilangers, 
thai like demons 

(Many unsoen, — and therefore iloubly 
fearfull, 

Whieh hover 'rouuil the soldier, hour by 
hour 

t>'ershadowing life with the blaek gloom 
of death; 

Oivl'st know the eoarse eompanions, the 
rude ni.nnners 

0( vile extortioners, bent alone on pivy. 

And pei-sonal prolit, and the thousand 
evils 

(.uMulered of strife, and strife's unhal- 
lowed passions, 

t.>, tliou woidd'st shrink from following 
sueh base eonrses. 

Kveu as an angel from the brink i>f hell! 

I'UU.orA. 

Thou wrong'st my love, and hast de- 
ceived thyself; 
Where'er thou art. to me that plaee is 

heaven ; 
Antonio, tiod alone, Ood and my soul 
Know what 1 might, and wonltl have 

been to thee! 
I would have shared thy fortunes, joineil 

my fate 
For weal or woe, for honor vn- ilisgraee. 
For life or death to thine; have traeked 

thy steps, 
(If need it were,) through seas of bU>od 

anvl earnage, 
Stivngthened thy weakness, buoytnl thy 

sinking hopes. 
Nor, at tl»e woi'st, have shed one \\o- 
^ man's tetU" 



AX'rONKj MHLIhoni. 



4:j 



'Yd sli;ik(! thy iiiaiiliood. Il;i<l ln^avcii 

l>l(;«fsi'(l thy caiisi', 
I woiilil liavc! Htriv(!ii u> make my isiiiiil, 

woi'thy 
'I'o iMoiiiil with ihcf; HO, wIkjii llic orljcd 

Slioin- liki' I In: lin; of siiurisc round lliy 

hrow, 
\o mail dai'c say that with lliat liisli'c 

mhijilwl 
One Iduhh of sliarae for Mchdoii's wife I 
This mif^ht liavc hccn, and tliis sliall 

ii<;v<!r be. I 1(7/'////. | 

r th' nanie of mercy, l^y thy motlicr's 

soul, 
Ami the dear past, 1 pray thee leavi; me 

now. 
While still thou lov'st me (dost Ihou 

not '>) a little. 

ANTOMO. 

An<l thou — and tii'^u, riiilola'.' 

I'llU.OI A. 

1 shall .Isv.-ll 
In peace; [oMdit] ay! hrok<fn hearts arc 
l>eacef ul I 

ANTONIO. 

But \vh<;ro '.' 

I'UH.O'IA. 

What matter where, so that \ live in 

peace '.' 
'/Heve not, Antonio, in my hrmil^h' 

station 
One thou;^ht shall hrin^ content; — "In- 

was not false," 
\o mortal maiden stole Antonio's heart I 

ANTONIO. 

IJIessed words I 
'Tis true I love hut thee! 
piiiurrA. 

Then do not sorrow. 
Love, I foif^ive thee; thou hast wronji;i'd 

me not. 
And for the child — ah, I shall iln-am it 

thine; 
'lend it as thine, and when the years 

have ripened 
That infant soul, 'tis mine to h-ad to 

virtuf, 
I'll teach the hoy how nohlc was the ad 



Wln-ii'hy Antonio sav<-d him; I 11 hi- 

happy, 
Oh, trust me, i.ove! so very, v<!ry 

happy! 

A.\l<KMO. 

Thf-n hi' it so, riiilota. I w<julil bless 

Ih.-c, 

But am not worthy; still, thou shalt be 
blessed. 

I'lllI.OI A. 

And tlioii, loo, if the V'ir^^in hear my 

prayers ; 
And now that we are friends, Ixit friends, 

thoui^h firm ones, 
Beseech thee, list my tidings. There's 

a foe, 
A deadly, treacherous foe in thine own 

camp, 
And one who vows thy ruin ; it is Rousso; 
Thou kiiowest how first his envious, hit- 
ter temper 
Was slun-^ to haticd; since that time, 

thy will 
Hath often clashed with his; besiiles, 

thy fauK! 
In thi'se fierce wars hath far o'ertopped 

his credit; 
So he has sworn ihy death; the voice 

was his. 
That goaded on thy soldiers to rebellion; 
,\.nd, as I threaded my uncertain jjath- 

way, 
A. short hour sinee, throu;;!) the dark 

stre<'ts of Sphakia. 
I heard thy name in whispers; two dim 

forms 
(Men, as I knew by their hoarse tones,) 

conferred 
With hurried, stealthy {gestures, and one 
j sentence 

I Startled me like a kne||: — "His tomb 
I is open," 

A defjp voice said ; "Antonio's tomb is 

open I" 
Oh, then, beware. As lowly as thou 

deeui'st me, 
111 watch above thy safety; the soft dove 
May warn the ea}(le of the miflnight 

spoiler I 



44 



DUAMATIC ^Ki:i vni:iS. 



AN l'OM(>. 

Alul ilij *i\\ II lilc iiiul >al'('l V 

I'liii or V. 

'l\)si>(Mul Ihcni both loillu'c. liiil liai'U! 

lll\ ll.tllU' 

Is slumloil by thy coiunulos in the \ alley. 
'I'lu' hour has como that parts us. Kaiv 
Ihoo woll ! 
\Slh i/u'i .< him >i< r luiiiil.] 

\\ lOMO. 

"^\\a-^ not (Mil' wt'iU to pari iii litis coKl 

I'ashiou ; 
(\iiiu'. (Mil- iiioft' Uiss, riiilota I Km n\c I'ecl 
\Vc wi'ii" iinU'Oil lK'tii>tlu>(l; oiii> last, last 

Iviss! [ 77/.// iiiilinu-c mill ihtrt.] 

Sl-KNK V. 
|.Vn apavtmoiit in llio l\oiiso of .MVoiulouli, 
ll\o (Jovonioi'-tu'iioral of (';uuli;». Kiitor An- 
ti'uio. ainl Alli'iulouli, ooiivorsiitj;.) 

Al I IMIOII.I. 

Thcsi' private bickerings ate lite ffititl'nl 

eause 
Of all ilisi^i'aei' atiil tailtife; let us end 

ihem I 

W tOMO. 

Most willitt^lyl 1 have no t'eud with 

any. 
Saving one qiiaitel, toieed upon uie. 

ehiel'! 

AFIKMHM M. 

Tnio. true! but oven now a eourier waits, 

n>arii(Hl w ith a sp<>eial niessauv of i^'ooil 
will. 

Fioni IJousso. auil bis biothef, Ana>;- 
nost i ; 

They say, '• We plead for peace I .ill per- 
sonal hate 

Ilouceforth be (pn^lled betwciMi us; we 
would join 

Our ttoop to Melidori's. and mw bannei-s 

AVave side by side with his." .Vecept 
their protTcrl 

V\ l>>MO. 

I will! 

VFFKNOOri.I. 

To show thou art sincere, fail not to tost 
Their hospitality. 



AM TO IS U). 
Al'FKN'DOl 1,1. 



As how '.' 



They i;ive 
.V solemn feast (d' unity and frii-ndship. 
To which thou art invited, (io, 1 chars;o 
thee. 

AN I'OMO. 

Trust me. I shall lu- ibcre, what day's 

ai>pi>inted 
Whereon to hold this festival of love? 

All'KM>Ol 1.1. 

This very day; thou knowest tin- t'anip 
o( Konsso '.' 

v\ roMo. 
Ay I ril be there anon! 

[Kxit Antonio. Kiitvi; n/tfr a Mft' hitcrral, 
/'hiloto, icilh ti liiirrhd ttnit iturioiin mifti.'\ 

riiuor \. 

« >h, pardon, pardon I 
Most Li'racioiis (ioNcrnor! but 1 come to 
seek 

Ant Ant . that is, the Captain 

Mclidori. 
With lidin^s of m'a\c import. 



All'llM'Ol t 1. 



Hal 



Thou luckless messenger I he has ilo- 

partcd. 
Oone 

IMllltM'A |('V7(////|. 

Where, where '.' 

All'l \ IHU It. 

Vo feast with Kousstv 
run or v \nishi)i(i i>iil\. 
Then is he lost I O merciful (iod. pro- 
tect us! 

s<-km: VI. 

I .\u open spaoo in a wood, — tuMos arranjrcd 
fov a lianipiot, — Konsso, .-Vnasnosti, Antonio 
Moli.iori. and tlioir I'ollowors, disoovorod I'oast- 

AN AtiNOsri. 

A soldier's life foivverl frei> to pass 

In feast or fray! how glorious this wild 

banip.i<>t 
Oominuvd to those dull, formal feasts of 

olil. 



AN TO MO MELIhOm. 



45 



Held Ml, Mic olivr liiirvcsL! SpfiJik, Aii- 

loiiio. 
(;ivf us tliy tliiiii'4lii ii|ii)ii it: wliiil! art 

silciil '.' 

I'ri,'!' iiiiii no iiioi'c; prfclnuK;!- Aiil.onio 

]lill(!S 

Kor lUc swccL <niii;L of UiiiL iiiouiitairi 

litv, 
W'liicli Mioii li;isl fiillcd so (lull; its days 

of dri-aiii, 
lis uif^lits of wanii voluptuous dalliaiKU!! 

A.NTOMO. 

\o, no, by licavi:u! Uio,s<; limes an; dead 

t.o UK-; 
'i'luty li;id their ph^asures, Ijut not oru; ),o 

tnati'li 
Till" k(!i'ii de'li^lils of f^lory, tlie l,ru(! 

honor 
Which follows jiatriot/ sei'vioe. 

ItOITSSO. 

Gallant words, 
IJravo, and h!{;h-sounding; but for nrio 

and mine, 
W(! flo not fight for sliadows! 

ANTONIO [coldly]. 

I'm at faidt, 
Not elearly eoniprelu'ridiuf^, sir, yoiu' 
meaning. 

I£Oi:SHO. 

Oh I Miou dost well to speak of glory, 

hf)nors, 
AVe know what rieli nnvards await the(!, 

ehief, 
WIk'ii the war's (;nded; spoils, and wealth 

and beauty. 
But yester'iMorn, f saw thy winsome, 

lady, 
'I'lie bride to be, old Affendouli's daugli- 

U:r. 
Nay, shrink not, man, she is a K)vely 

maid, 
Fair as her father's generous: what an 

<'y(;! 
iJalf anil, half languishing; and what a 

breast ! 
That heaves as 'twould burst outward to 

the day, 



And strike; nutn mad with its wliile 

jianting [)assir)n ! 
No lov(!lier woman lives, ind<;ss, uidess — 
Jt b(; tliat ])Oor young thing who dot(;d 

on tli.'c, 
I>(;fore tin- war, — what was hej- nani<; ? 

i'hilola? 

ANTONIO. 

Thy thoughts rini on fail- damsels; let, 

us talk 
J,,ike soldiers, not like Ijrain-siek Itoys in 

love. 

BOUHSO. 

With all my lieart; oidy, one pl(;dge to 

th(;(;, 
And Al'fcndoidi's daught,(;r! 

ANTONIO. 

I liave borne 
This Ji'sting with t.ln; ])al,ienr;r;of a saint. 
Hut now 'tis stret,elie,d to license. I'rithee, 
cease ! 

itocs.so. 
Cjiod, how he winces! if I'hilota — 

ANTONIO. 

Villain! 
Utt,er that sacred namt; again 

lt<ji;s.so [risai;/ Huddf'nb/ o:nd, drnwinn 
Ids d(J,(/'/f'r\. 

Oh, bo! 
Wilt light, wilt light! I'm n;aily foithe(;; 
come. 

ANTONIO \rimde]. 
(He shall not trap me thus.) 'I'hou art 

my liost; 
'Tweri; shame, yea, bittrjr shame, this 

brawl should end 
In blows and bloodsbeil! wlicn the iiiii<' 
befits, 

I 'I'll Kocsso]. 

iJoiild nol that I slia,ll c;dl thee t,o ac- 
count, 

For this day's work; meanwhile I h'ave 
a l)oa,rd 

Where clownish insult poisons all your 
cups! 

[/in lu: iH'iliotit tofliparl, AnaiinoHtiiipprnar.hcs^ 
■until an air of conciliali/jn.] 



46 



dhamaiu' sKirrciiES. 



\N'A(iN(>Sri. 

wen spdlccii, inil)U> ciiiitaiii, ilioii well 

w roiim'il ; 
IJiil Koiisso is so li:isl\ ! lie rc|)t'nls; 
Let uol this solciuu least ol' iiiiily 
lirt'aU up ill iliscunl. 

Kousso. 

No, no, no, Aiiloniol 
1 do ropont ! FrilluH' imuIh-.u'i' \\w, iriiMui, 
111 .sign of iVfonciliMiuMil. 

I l!oti»soiif>ptV(iclies MtUilori iritli (in iiitstrinh/ 
sti-p; while in the act of tmlirnnn(i, lie uliilis 
/lini in Ihf side, i'liilola ntaliex npon the scene, 
irith II cni of aiionii, diid thi\>ws herself beside 
Antonio, whose head she supports.] 

IMIll.orA. 

Too h\{cl (> l\oi]. loo late! II.' t'aiiUs, 

Iw .ii.'s! 
Why siaii" \i' lliiis Ilium us, cnu'l iiicu '.' 
W'iiu", wine, auolluT ciiii, how slow yo 

lUO\ I'l 

My si-ail' is dri'iifhiHl wilh lilootl, — yt> 

\>ililt\ss Tools! 
Will not a iTt'aluro loan uic whcrcw iilial 
Toblml his wivti-lu'd w ouiid up ".' 'I'lu'iv, 

'tis staiu'lu'd, 
Auil lu' rcvivi'sl AiUouio, spcaU lo luc, 
I aui riillola! 

ANTONIO \liifi miinl nuiiidvriuij]. 
WluTt' hast tluMi Ihvu, my love, this 

w <Mr\ tiuu' '.' 
Am 1 uol inic".' 1 chargt^ tluH\ herd 

lliiMU uol I 
The girl is uothiug to lue; Kousso's 

tougue. 
His sharp lalso tongue tiiM joined our 

names together: 
She loves another, and 1 lo\e Inii tlu-e; 
Draw nearer, let me whisper. 1 have 

dreamed. 
Oh, sneli a dream I the valK-ys tlowed 

with blood. 
And ruin oomimssod all our island round. 
And every town was saeked, ami, liark 

ye, nearer! 
1 saw a uiolher nuirdered by a knave, 
A eoward knave, beeause she w ould not 

yi.-ld 
Her body lo him; but 1 sived her ehild. 



And here he is, a iHelty, pretty boy! 
Take him, I'liilola. A h, my heart, my 

heart ! 
It pains me sorely; 'twas a terrible 

dri'am, 
Ihit now , than!; Ileaxcu, "lis over! Thou 

art jvale; 
What maiies thee pale'.' {'.ear up, my 

deart'sl lo\e! 
'IMiis morn we shall be wedded, and 1 

think 
We will not part again. 1 iiad a foe. 
His uanie is Kousst); but we are so 

happy. 
Let us forgive all foes; invite him thither, 

riitt.opA \i('cci>in<i\. 
lie breaks my heart — 

\\ roMo. 

I low ixcen the w iud is ! 
Keen, keen, and eiiiil ; it was not wont 

to blow 
So eoldiy at this season: 1 am siek, 
\'ea, siek of very joy; but joy kills uol; 
My lids are heavy; 1 would sleep, 

IMiilota. 
Wake me at early dawn: 1 told my 

mother. 
That 1 would bring tliee home, to-mor- 
row morn. 

[lie dies.] 



Ai.i.tx liKimKnr. 
s('i;nk 1. 

I'l'lio tiall of a oouuti'v lunise in Woslnioro- 

[ lauii, sun'ouiuloil wilh iHirtraits dl' t\io .Ab . . . 

lamily. Allan Ilerliei-t. ami Jm-olyn, an old 

ilonu'stio, are soon standinj; bol'oiv tho likonoss 

of a lady, young', and wondort'ully l'air,J 

m:i;ni:i;r. 
Tho eanvas speaks! 

.lOC'KI.VN. 

Ay, sir, 'tis very like; 
Was slu> iu>t beautiful '.' 
iii:i;t!i:i!r. 

Was; yes, and is; 
Sbo had not lost one bloom wlien late I 
saw her. 




'■'J'lii; raiivas sjjeakK." 



ALLAN HERBERT. 



47 



JOCELYN. 

Sir, she is dead! 

HERBERT. 

Ay, so they say, old man; 
And yet I see her nightly, — in my 

dreams ; 
1 tell you that lier clieek is round and 

fair 
As summer's fulness, that her eyes are 

lustrous, 
And she, a perfect i^resence clasped in 

light! 
Tlius will she loolv, on resurrection 

morning. 

JOCELYN [o.s/cip]. 

Alas, poor gentleman! how many loved 

her. 
And loved her vainly! Pardon, sir, your 

name ? 

HERBERT. 

My name is Allan Herbert. 

JOCELYN. 

Herbert, Herbert ! 
Where have I heard tliat dainty name 

before ? {iniising) 
Oh, now I have it; my young mistress, 

sir. 
She who is dead, was wont to read a 

book 
A delicate gold-edged volume, that I'm 

sure 
Bore some such name within it; she 

would sit 
Beneath yon grape vine trellis toward the 

soutli 
(This window, sir, commands it), and 

for hours, 
Nay. days, bend o'er lier favorite pages; 

once 
She left the book behind her, and I saw 
Its leaves were touched witli tears. 

HERBERT. 

Where is it now ? 
That book your mistress loved ? Let 
me behold it ! 

JOCELYN. 

In sooth, sir, I have never seen it since. 



Or, if 1 liave [hesitutingl, it lies beyond 
our reach. 

HERBERT. 

What meanest thou ? 

JOCEEYN. 

I mean that while she lay 
Decked for her burial, wliilst I stood be- 
side lier, 
Looking my last upon her tranquil fea- 
tures, 
Tlie rolie of death was fluttered by tlie 

wind, 
A low sad wailing wind, that swept aside 
The drapery for a moment, and I marked 
The glimmer of the gold-edged pages 

placed 
Eight on her bosom! Master, you are 

pale. 
You tremble ; I have rudely touched the 

spring 
Of some deep-seated sorrow ! 

HERBERT. 

Yes, old man; 

A sorrow most unlike to common griefs. 

That pass li Ice clouds or shadows; mine 
is mingled 

With the dark lines of treachery and re- 
morse ; 

A rayless, blank eclipse, through which 
I wander. 

Accursed and hopeless ; sometimes in a 
vision 

Comes the sweet face of her I foully 
wronged. 

And stabs me with a smile! 

JOCELYN. 

Did'st wrong her. Sir ? 
Did'st wrong my lady ? 

HERBERT. 

Lead me to the grave ; 
I know 'tis near at hand. 

JOCELYN. 

The grave ! what grave ? 
Moreover, — if you wronged her 



48 



Dl^A AJA Tl SKK TVHES. 



llKl.MiKKl'. 




1 agoiil/.o ill thoiiiiht. Ktornal Nature! 


If 1 w runted 


iK'f! 


She whom 1 onoo oallod " mother,'' 


Why (lost llidii Inmil \\w witli il '.' 


lion 


wears an aspoot 


oil ciirlli 




Callous and pitiless. 1 fain would sol\-e 


Willi Mi'irv Mill iH'>i.l(- tluH'.— 1 


— in 


This torriiilo mxstory that weighs down 


lloll'.' 




in\ soni 


.UK Kl.VN. 




With niuhlinaro laneios. i,ol medio in 

1 lei ee 


M;u!iii:iii ! 


[M ,U 1 . 


iii;i;i'.i;i; I'. 




(Mhxll and il 1 may not sei^ her more 


I am i)ol mail, my rrifiul. but 


only 


'rhronuhall the long eternities, nor hoar 
Her xoiiH' of tender pardon. liM me rest 


\\ iciclu'il; 
Chu'c uiori'. 1 pray iIuh', show nu' w 


hoiv 


Next to some stream of l.ol ho. and ri>- 
IHise 


slu' sll'CllS. 








lUl.»l.ll*lOlllll-,>lUIlU'll>. 


,i(>ri-;i.v.N. 




1 Kiili r ,K>(i;i.VN. | 


1 uuist t>lH\v him; this way. — follow 


nu\ 


,1IH KI.YN. 


S( KM'. 11. 




Comi\ let ns hence I the darkness erooiis 
upon ns; 


[A lorost.- l><M'i> ill the sliail<' a s 
Hlonuiuont ai>iH':ns. oovoit'il willi wiUl lU 


iiiji'lo 

\\ (TS 


See. Sir! there's luM a spark of snnset 
loft 


iUul lOfO.-i.l 




In all the waning West. 


iiF.ur.Kirr yiJom \. 




ItKlil'.KIM'. 


'Tis (il she shoiilil h." hurictl in this ] 


.laoo 


Well, xvhat of that ! 


Si) trauraiil aiul so ]>(',u't't'iil; O. my 


ovo! 


1 lixo in darkness, — the light hnriis my 


'I'hou has( i;ro\\ii duil i>t' hoarinul I 


max 


spirit. 


(•all 




It im>eks and lortnros me! llogone. I 


"Till I he louo ochot's shixtM' wilh 


thy 


say. 


iiaiiu'. 




\iul leaxc mo to the dismal shade tluni 


'riiou wilt not hcoil mo: iliisi, ilust. 


dllsl 


fe;irest ! 


iiul.'.'.i: 




.lOCKl.YN. 


And thon — mort' ^lorions than 

inornin;;' star; 
.Mori" tender than tlu' lovo-light i>t' 


tho 
tho 


CuhhI .Sir, he eonnselled — stay not in 

tlu> wood : 
Thine eyi> is ti\nihlod, and thy visage 


CVl' I 

They toll mo thon shah riso a-, 
Christ's brido. 


ain. 


weary ; — 
'Tis a rash venture! 

iii;i;ni:i;T. 
Sooth to say. I thank thoo-, 
Thoneotdd'st m>t serve long in Ihehonso- 


Not mino, most hoanlit'nl, yol ohan 
I'orohanoo 1 shall not know (hoo. or 
ohanoo. 


.;od ; 
l>or- 


'i'ho hninan lo\i' which mado thino 
liko hoax on — 


oyos 


hoUl blessed 
P.y her n\ost mereifnl presence, and not 


Jlyhoaxon of hopo and worshiii — > 
ho lost 


hall 


eat eh 
."some tenderness of tinnper; — take my 


In somo di\ inor splondor I all 
hnshod. 


is 


thanks! 
\'i't will 1 slay in this same dreary xxood, 


No smallost whispor tivmblos nontly 


np 


And xvatch until the night is oxcrpast. 


From tho diH>i> grave to soothe me; 


'tis 


.UH i:i.\x. 


in vain 




Thon' It tind it lonely. 



THE CONiil'IRATOR. 



49 



iii;i;i!Ki;r. 

( )li, I liiivc my lli<)U,!4lits, 
A stirring coiiipMiiy, ihat, never .slunibcr. 

.J()( Kl.VN. 

Wliy, worse and worse I Tv*; lieurd, sueli 

restless tlioiii;lils 

]Mn;eiuier ;i sore sicliness 

iii;i:i!i:i!r. 

( )1' (he niiiid : 
\c\ is my ease iilre:iily desperule, 
i'asi, liealiiiu, and pasi, comrorl. <;() liiy 

way. 
'I'lion kind old man, llioii eanst \u)l 

slialie my purpose, 
IJut wlieu tlie last star wanes Ixd'ore the 

dawn, 
Come back; my nigid, will (hen be ovei'- 

past. 
And my wateli ended; lill lliat Imur, 

farewell ! 



rnoM Till-: cossi'ihatoh, 

AN UNrin!Msiiia> iii \<;i:nv. 

SCENE. 

[A garden ; Arnold De Malpas and Catharine 
iliscovcreil walliing slowly towanls a sumnui- 
lioiise in tlic disl.ince]. 

catiiaimm:. 
Alt tliou ])repared to risk all Ibis, T)e 
Malpas ? 

DIO MAI.fAS. 

Av! tbis, and more, it' I Itiil Ibongbt — 
[ll.silnrni,i\. 

catiiaimm:. 

Wbal, Arncdd'.' 
or; MAM' vs. 
If I but tbougbt tbat wbeii Ibe strife; was 

over, 
'I'be feeble prince burled down, tin; 

tlirone secured, 
.slie, for wbose love I braved tb(» ])e(iple's 

bate, 
Maliee of rulers, and tlie beadsman's 

axe. 
Would deign to sbare witb me tbat 
perilous beigbt. 



( A rii Ai;i\i:. 
Mie! Oil, 1ii(in ba>l a ladydove! 

in; MAI.I'A^. 

Cruel! Wouldsl tliou put by my passicjii 

tlius, 
Willi a feigu(Ml jest ■.' Calbarine, I stalve 

my all, 
^lanbood's strong bopes and puiiiose, 

tbe lieart's wealtb, 
And Ibe nnmrs slori; of bard-bougbt 

lore, lU)' peace 
Of conscience, and my soid's immortal 

life. 

To lift liiee to tbe suunuit of tby wisb; 
(Oil! 1 liave proved ibee, and 1 know 

tby liiougbts). 
And yet, tliou feignest ignorance I 

CATIIAKINK. 

Dear De Malpas, 
Foi'give me I 1(4 US bot b Ibrow by tlie 

mask ! 
I bate tbe (|ueen; excn in our girlisb 

<la,vs, 
Slie was my ri\al; ber mild-mannered 

ai-ls 
Stole sniloi's fi'om me; tlie old priest, our 

teacber, 
Tbougb 1 eclipsed lu'r cvi'r in ibe scliool, 
And sbamed ber dullness witb keen- 
wilted words 
And quicker ai)iireliension, sbone on ber 
AVilb sunny asix-cl, sleeked ber gcdden 

bail'. 
Fondled ;ind soot bed and petted, wbilst 

for me,, 
Tbe apler scbolai', b<' reserved barsb 

looks, 
And barsber tones; (well, tbe old fool is 

dead! 
In aflci' t ime, some friend of boly cburcb, 
Some /.ealoiis friend, proved tbat bis 

saintsbip laugbt 
Scbisin and beresy, and .so — be perLsbed) ! 
Jbit for tbis queen, Ibis Kleanor! our 

souls 
Xursed yearly a, more fixed bostility; 
We sat togetbcr at liie knigbtly jousts, 
And walcbcd tb<' eonllict witb lugh 

Ileal ing bearls, 



50 



DRAMATIC SKETCHES. 



Flushed cheeks, and fluttering pulses; 

she from fear, 
1 with llic mounting heat of martial 

lilood, 
'riu-jlicd Willi tlie nuisie of the battle's 

roar. 
The ring of mighty lanees on steel helms. 
Clangor of sliicids, and neighing of wild 

steeds : 
One morn my knight was vielor; as he 

plaeed 
The crown of gems and laurel on my 

brow, 
Methought that 1 was born to be a queen. 
Not the. brief ruler of a festal throng, 
Ijut 'stablished kingdoms, ami a host of 

men 
Bound to my sway forever! 

DE MALPAS. 

A true thought! 
(), noble ratharine! thy aspiring spirit 
Fires my purpose, and gives wings to 

aetion ; 
Thy rival hath sped \rAsl thee in the 

I'ace, 
But she shall fall midway; the blinded 

monarch 
Walks on the brink of an abysmal deep. 
And soou shall topple over; then, a vic- 
tor, 
(\ot from the conlliet with half-blunted 

spears, 
in friendly tournament), but the tunudt 

tierce 
Of revolution, and the crash of states. 
Shall set a weightier crown about thy 

brows. 
And hail thee ruler, — not of festal 

throngs. 
But 'stalilished kingdoms, and a host of 

men 
]>ouiul to thy sway fore\er! 



DE MAI.PAS. 

Speak, Bolton! what say these, my faith- 
ful friends. 
Touching my present life ? 



BOI.TON. 

Why. Master Arnold, 
I' sooth they're nuich divided; some as- 
sert. 
That thou art moonstruck; that some 

morbid fancy. 
Whether of love or pride, hath seized 

upon thee; 
Others, that thou hast simply lost thy 

trust 
In man and in thyself; and others still, 
That thou hast sunk to base, inglorious 

ease, 
l^rging th(> languid i-urrents of the blood 
With fii'ry spurs of sense; a few there 

a"'e. 
Few. but most: faithful, who at dead of 

night 
In secret conclave, M'ith low-whispered 

words 
And pallid faces glancing back aghast. 
Speak of a monstrous wrong, which 

thou 

DE MALPAS. 

[Starting up, and seisin;/ Bolton.] 
Unhappy wretch! therein thou speak'st 

thy doom! 
That prying, curious spirit is thy fate. 

{Stabs him sudden I;/.] 
Did I not warn thee of it '? 

P.OI.TOX. 

Oh! 1 die! 
Yet my soul swells and lightens; all the 

future 
Flashes before me like a revelation. 
Arnold Ue Malpas! thou shalt gain thine 

end ! 
The aged king shall fall, the throne be 

thine ! 
But, as thou goest to claim it, as thy 

foot 
Presses the royal dais (mark my words) ! 
A bolt shall fall from heaven, sudden, 

swift, 
Even as thy blow on me. thoirlt writhe 

i' the dust, 
Down-trodd(Mi by the hostile heel of 

thousands. 



EXPERIENCE IN FOVERTY. 



51 



Whilst she, for whom Ihou'st turned 

L'oiisi)ir;itor, 
Siiiiliiijr, shall gazi' from out her piiluce 

doors, 
And wave her hroiilered scarf, and j(^in 

the music 
Of her low witching laughter to the 

sneers 
Of courtly parasites; '' De Malpas bore 
Tlis honors Ijravely, did he not, my 

Icjrds '.' 
Now, by our lady, 'tis a grievous fall! " 
*' Yet jiride, thou know'st, sweet (,'atha- 

rine,"" — 

"Ay, ay, ay! 
" Prithee, Francisco, wilt thou dance to- 
night t"' 

DE MA 1,1' AS. 

What, fool ! wilt prate forever ? Hence, 

I say. 
And entertain the devil with thy dream- 

ings ! 

[stabs him ac/diii.] 



DK MALPAS. 

Thou liast been to court, Bernaldi, hast 
thou not ? 

i!i:i:.\Ai,i)i. 
Ay! all the forenoon ! 

UK MALPAS. 

Didst tliou see the lady, 
Catharine of Savoy, whose miraculous 

beauty 
Hath set all Spain aflame ? 

BKltXALDI. 

I did. my cousin. 
But, I am bold to speak it, liked her not; 
Iler beauty is the beauty of the serpent. 
Masking a i)oisonous spirit; there's no 

depth 
Of womanly nature in her gleaming 

eyes. 
Falsest when most they flatter; men have 

said 
She owns the Borgia's blood; I know not 

that. 
But, by St. Mark ! she owns their temper, 

cousin! 



EXPERIENCE IN POVERTY. 

A. How bitterly you speak! 

li. 1 hav(^ good warrant. 

^1. Well, for my part, I hold your creed 

is false, 
Uncharitable, monstrous! I have seen 
The world, sir; studied mem and man- 
ners in it; 
And though no doubt some selfishness 

and craft 
May evermore be found by those who 

seek them. 
Peering too closely underneath tlu; 

mask 
Of midtiform conventions, yet, by heaven. 
The world's a fair, good, reasonable 

world 
To all who follow reason! Yoiu- high 

fancies. 
Whose goal is vague impossibility, 
Of course must miss their mark ! We 

live not, sir, 
In Etlen, or the golden age. 

B. l!iglit! right! 
You talk as is most natural in one 

To whom all life hath been a gay pai'ade, 

A frolic pastime! — to whom subth; for- 
tune 

Hath never turne<l her dark and lowering 
front, 

But round whose footsteps sowed with 
golden showers 

Obse(iuious knaves and sweet-tongued 
servitors 

nav(! fawned and lied and flattered, til' 
your days 

Borne bravely onward over perfumed 
tides 

Passed like a steady bark 'twixt shores of 
flowers. 

You know the war'ld! its men and modes 
forsooth! 

Wait, sir. luitil your purse grows lean as 
mine. 

And fate within the compass of one evil 

(A gaunt and loathsome poverty), in- 
cludes 

All ills that flesh is heir to! disrespect 



52 



DEAMATIC SKETCHES. 



From insoli'iil curs that now you'd 
hardly stoop 

To soil your lordly boot with! sludicd 
foldut'ss 

0[' ancient friends whose ivisy I'aitli dv- 
i-lines 

AVilh your decreasinj;' w ine-huttsi eo\ert 
sneers. 

Or open insult from the gaudy throng 

Of parasites, who breathe aU)ue in sun- 
shine! 

(irief without balm, and pain that knows 
not i>ity ; 

Dark days, and maddening midnigiits, 
and the pang 

Of outraged feeling, and the souTs de- 
spair: 

Ay! wait, 1 say, until from dejiths like 
these. 

The lonely thunder growling overhead. 

And misery like a cataract raging round 

Your path of ruin, wild and desperate 
eyes 

Are lifted to the sunnnits of past hope, 

Iveceding ever with their shows of joy, 

TiCss real than the mirage, or the domes 

\\'hieh sunset buikls on clouds of phan- 
tasy! 

Wait till the fiend that's born of fanushed 
hours 

Shall urasp vour hand in bonv fellow- 

ship; 

And lead you through the mist of ghastly 

dreams, 
ll(>lpless ami tottering, to the brink of 

death! 
Ha! lia ! xou sluink! the picture does 

nt)t please 
Your dainty fancy! Well, soft optimist, 
Confess there's somewhat you have still 

to learn 
Of this same fair, good, reasonable world ! 



IJetwecu extremes; avoid the spend- 
thrift's folly 

As you'd avoid tlie road of utter ruin; 

For wealth, or at llse least, fair compe- 
tence. 

Is honor, ci)mfort. hope, and sclf-rcsiu'ct; 

All. in a word, that makes our human 
lib' 

Endurable, if not happy: scorn the cant 

Of sentimental Dives, wrapped in pur- 
pie. 

Who o\ei- JcMvelled wine-i'ups and rich 
fare. 

Affects to lloul his i^old. and prattles 
loosely 

Of sweet content that's found iniHnt>rty: 

As for the miser, he's a madman simply, 

One who the means of all enjoyment 
holds. 

Yet never dares enjoy: no, no. Anselmo, 

Use with a prudent, but still liberal hand 

That store the gods have given you : thus, 
my friend, 

'Twixt the Oharybdis of a churlish mean- 
ness. 

And the swift Scylla of improvident 
waste. 

You'll steer your bark o'er smooth, in- 
nocuous seas. 

And reach at last a peaceful anchorage. 



THE TIH'E rUlLOSOPHY. 

I'd have you use a wise philosophy. 
In this, as in all matters, whereupon 
Judgment may freely act; truth ever lies 



LOVE'S C A I' i; ICES. 

CoJiE, swcetheail. hear me! I have 

loved I lice w<'ll. 
God kuoweth. Thri'U^h all these years 

my holiest tboimhts. 
Like those pure doves luirtured in an- 

ti(|ue tcmiiles. 
Have tlnttered ever round thine image 

fair. 
And found in thee their shrine. Xo 

lenderest hoi>e 
Of mine, which hath not warmed its 

radiaiU wings 
Within that heaven, thy presence, and 

drank strength 
I And snushine from it. 



LOVE'S CAPRICES. 



53 



How hast thou responded? 


Tli;i 


t all my soul was flooded with its joy. 


SonietiiiU'S Ihiiic eyes, like Eden gales 


Am 


1, melhouLilit, i)i'eiithed as immor- 


unclosed. 




tals hreathe. 


Would pour such heains of sacred pas- 


A ( 


eathless li-li! and ether. Then, 


sion down, 




when most 




I, bear me ! ' 



I dreamed me luippy. a strange eliauge 

would come. 
Sudden as strange; some wind of cold 

caprice, 
Blowing,! knew not whence, an icy cloud 
Upbore, and o'er the splendor of thy 

brow. 



Of late so frankly beautiful, there hung 
Ominous shadows, crossed by gleams of 

scorn : 
Trifles as slight as eider-down have power 
To move or sting thee, and a swarm of 

humors, 
Gentlered of morbid fancy, buzz and hiss 



f)4 



DUAMA TIC HKJ^TVJIES. 



AliOlll soiUi' \Mt';in( I'hllinbiMN of Iliy 

ininil, 
1>\ iiil<- ilu>ii:'.li|s 1('|'( oiu'ii, iu:iUin,i; 

IJu.lo (lisi'or.l. \\!u>r.\ il' lirall liliil will 

lliUl ^\\.i\ , 
.\nm>ls. luM'i'hnuco, iui:;li( lit'l i'i>lt>sli;il 

voioosi 

l.o\<\ li>\.', ilioii wroui'/si ihysoli'. nnd 

lli.'U swoiM UiUiiro. 
Swoot ill ihtM'oiv. for all siuli sni.ill do- 

Wht'iow ith kii\(l hi-axcu oiulowoil llnv; 

vol. luMViin^I 
ruprico. (houiil) t'nul its shjil'ls. a poi- 

soiioti hai'l* 
ilath liouihl on 0!U'1\: Ihoir points .nt* 

sharp lo womul, 
Auii iho \\i>imiis ranklol (iiauts yivat 

as 1 ,o\o 
lIa\o |uM'isho(l luoroly of an iiisool's 

viM\oni. 
Auil \\l»o il>rou;_:l> all (ioii's nuiM-rso oaii 

lou-'h 
l.ovo's pulsoloss hoarl lo waiiulh and 

lifo aiiai'i? 



Who fools (In-oiiuli (l(Misosl niidniulil, 

in*\l his ow n. 
'Plio lovinu' Ihioh of a kind falhoi's 

hoarl. 



I'lniNO. 'n\id tho ooiuplox and unu\nn- 

hoivd oivoils 
Whioh nuvl and jostlo on this mortal 

soono. 
And soniotinios lijiht <"• Voutiti)U't\ I 

poivoivo 
Son\oj>ivo>onssoodof trnthonnohlincall: 
KuousoiU it may lu\ liko tho n>un\t)i\"s 

whoa I. 
l.vvkod in doavl fornis. \ot waiting l>»it a 

hroath 
».>f hoi\ost air. an inoh of m holosou\o soil. 
To hloom and tlourish hoavonwanl; 

thotvfoiv. frioiul. 
NValk hand in haiid with oloar-oyod 

(M\arily. 
And Faith suhlin\o. though s.iiuiilo. like 

a child's. 



77//; rxnri:s III I'v ()/•• (;i;ii:r. 

I liUANr yon ilial o\n' falo is ti>rrihlo. 
r»itlor as oall. \\ hai thon? Will 1am- 

oui.il ion, 
Childisli ooniplainl. o\ crlasi ii\^' w.iiliniis. 
tiriof. groans, dospair. holp lo aniond 

onr doom".' 
tilan.'o o'or Iho woild llio world is full 

of pain 
Akin to onrs. If son\o dark spjiii 

tonohod 
Onr vision lo miraonlons oloarnoss. 

siiihls 
Would moot onr o\os. at whioh tlu< ooM- 

ost hoarl 
Might woop hlood-loars; thoro's ni)t ;i 

momonl p.issos 
Whioh doth not hoar its load of agonios 
Onl to tho dim Klornity hoyond: 
Tho i>rimal onrso of oaith. will) hoavior 

w oight . 
lVsoonds(mspooial viotin\s: vol. holhink 

yi>n. 
All sorrow hath its honnds, o'or whioh 

thoro stands 
That friond i>f misory. gonllo-hoartod 

IValh. 
Hahns of oMivion holds ho. and tho 

ri'alm 
Whoroin ho rnlos haih n\nrn>nrons oavos 

i>f sloop. 



Tin: rKXirhxr, 

Tnof soo'si von woman with tho grav*' 

\u>lisso 
l.inod with dark saMos ? Is sho not do- 

vont ? 
I lor vsoiil is in tho sorvioo. and hor oyos 
Aiv dim with wooi>ing. — wooping tor 

tho folUos 



ni<:\\.\i;i> ()!<' I''I('i<i.i-:nI':hh. 



Of ,1 iiiis^'iiiilcil yoiilli; liiiis :^:illli lln- 

world, 
Kill I, ulio know liiT liiily»lij|i, i<ii<iw 

lliis: 
Sill- s\i'i:)pH lliitl, yi'iill" il •■'■ir, ;i,iiil I 111- lusl 

lriiiiii|>lis 
Wllirli lc||i)\\ri| ill \\^ lr:iiii; llir icorcH 

itl' Imcrs 
l)c;ic| iiim, or iiiiiii'iiil oil'; lln- roll!, lln' 

Joiisl , 

TIk! swcfi IliilfilioriH, iiiciiy cjiniiviili, 
Ami — (oh ! MiipifriicMl, iiicmoiy of ;ill I) — 
Till! hiunlcil -icirMiJiilcrH 'ii<';il.li llir, ia( (ice, 
(,ifl,iii;( tilt' voice of |;;iMHioii ill I.Ik! iii)^li(, : 
AikI oiii! iiiiioii;^ l,li(! iiiiiisli'i'lH loved lier 

well, 
lilll liilii she l;ill^lier| lo seoill, Ilis lie.'Ul, 

w;is liven; 
She li'iuii|ilei| on Ihe piiresl, pe/ul of love, 
And I'ithl. it. lo iIm- do^n; well, ^iod is 

JnMt, ! 
SheHeoriieij his n;i,ered f^ifl, ;iiii| so iiiiihI, 

walk, 
lleiirrd'oilh ii loiiely vvoiiiaii on Ihe 

e;ulli! 



DltlMMIC llt.Mi.MI.X'i: 

\Vk irii^lil, have heen ! ah, yes! we niif^hl, 

iiave been 
Among the laiirelled noldemen <;f 

tlioii;^lit,, 
Who lifl, I heir M|ii'f;je,s vvilli IlK-m an I hey 

elimli 
To dealhleiH empire, ill ihe, icallii of 

I'lil, Mome dark power — we, will nol, eall 

il. Kale — 
We dare nol. eall il. I'rovidenee — hath 

seized 
The helm of our hiraiige deHlinieH, an<l 

sler-red 
liij.dif onward lo Ihe hreaki-rn. All Ih 

llop<;'« sirr-M HOiif^ of piomi-e hiini.H in 

Hi(;llH, 

And joy — (hill, she ne'er charmed iim, 
Hav<; ill days 



Of dim leiiii'iiiheri'd eliijdhood): jei il, 

piiss! 
Our iol.'slhi- lof ol millioir.; for on lifi* 
,\ hii'-dil, is preyinj^, and a inyKlie wrong 
llalh ie|, our lie;i,rl,Hl,rliigH l.o I lie lime of 

«rief! 



/.'A //' . I l:lt (I I- III A LKNh'.HH. 

AI/IO.N. 
Voi; see ihal, man willi Ihe qiijek eycH 

and hrow, 
To(j pondi'rons jilniol for his hleiider 

fi'Mine, 
llisd;iik loeks liii':ed Willi gray; you'd 

hiinlly Ihiiik il, 
r»iif he's a moral dandy, il.ilcllnidc. 
(Ah yodj- IfallaiiH say), whose (iekh; tastn 
Leads him, like, some fast.idioiis \tfv, from 

/lr)vver 
To (lower of social piislime! ,\ f;i.ir yirl, 
I'reMy ami pi<pianfe, hll-. hi', lie;irl lo- 

day ; 
On airy wings of senlimeiii he hovers 
Lovingly round her, feeds Ihe hi'iinleons 

(■real lire 
On hoiieyitd nolhings in a fone so sweet,. 
They seriin Ihe genniiie friilL of a strong 

honi 
.Vni'Inred hy (»assioii, and line ;idor;i.lioii ; 
Then on the morrow when he nieel.H onee, 

more, 
"That- Cynlhia of Ihe miiiiife," a. eold 

ernsi. 
Of ieiesi, form ;i,iid et,i«|iielfr' o'ersjireads 
His words, look, hearing; l,lie, whole man 

is changed — 
As if a Tropic landscape, hrighl, with 

simlight., 
Hail grown Ut fro/en hardneis in an 

hour: — 
,\ demon, tickle, friMiiig, and r'apricions 
O'errnles his spiril, always! with men 

likewise, 
II, is his pride U) jday the same vile 

game! 
Why, sir, your patience would ije !a,^';d 

Lo r;oiinl. 



56 



DRAMATIC SKETCHES. 



His dupes within the year! he'll take a 
youth, 

Briiiht-niindeil, trusting, whom per- 
chance he meets 

In casual fashion on the public square, 

Caress, solicit, flatter him — at length 

Bear the poor fool, elate and jubilant, 

To banquet at his own well-ordered 
board. 

Ply him with curious questions, draw 
him out 

To make display of all his raciest wit, 

And when, like a squeezed orange, all 
his sap's 

Exhausted, — faith! .Sir Dainty down 
the wind 

Whistles his victim with a cool assur- 
ance, 

Which is the calm sublime of impu- 
dence ! 

In fine, the man's a worn-out Epicurean, 

A ceaseless hunter after new sensations. 

To whom the world's a storehouse 
crammed with hearts 

And minds for his amusement! as for 
hearts. 

He'll toss 'em up, as jugglers toss their 
balls. 

Proud of his sleight of hand, his impish 
cunning. 

His matchless turns of quick dexterity! 

And if the baubles break, he's sore 
amazed 

That aught should be so brittle! yet 
thanks God 

The earth is full of these same delicate 
toys ; 

And so he hurls the shattered plaything 
by. 

To re-assume his honest, juggling tricks. 

And charm his weary leisure-time with 
lies; 

A silken, soft, fair-spoken, dangerous 
knave. 

MARCUS. 

Some day he'll find his match! 

AT.TOiSr. 

Ay ! you may swear to that ; 

Some woman versed in every social art, 



Some rai'e, majestic creature, whose rich 
beauty 

AVill set his amorous senses in a blaze; 

Slowly around him she will draw the 
net 

Of fascinations, multiform and strange; 

Enchant his fancy with her regal wit. 

His taste with every charm of female 
guile, 

Inflame him with voluptuous blandish- 
ments. 

By turns, sooth, flatter, madden, vow 
she loves 

At one delicious moment, then the next 

As Marndy swear she loathes him! by a 
sjiell 

Invisible, but potent as the sun. 

She'll lead him, fawning, quivering to 
her feet. 

And at the last, O ! consummation just! 

When on the very brink of Ijlest frui- 
tion. 

He hovers, arms outstretched, and soul 
aglow. 

She'll freeze to sudden marble, wave him 
otf 

With such calm haughtiness of queenly 
scorn. 

Imperious, crushing, fatal, that, by heav- 
en, 

I should not wonder if the terrible sting 

Of disappointment and deceived desires, 

Of baffled passion, wounded self-conceit. 

And hope so swiftly murdered by de- 
spair. 

Struck to the core of being, and this 
man 

Falser than hell to others, perished 
wholly. 

By his own pestilent trickery done to 
death ! 



A CHARACTER. 

A. He is a man whose complex char- 
acter 
Yew can decipher rightly; but for me 
1 have found the key at last ! 



A CHARACTER. 



57 



B. Whal make you of it •.' 

^1. As inournfiil and us hluncil a pai^e, 

ptM'chaucc, 
As evor pained ilic sccIvim- after truth: 
Listen! this man. when iii<e a factory 

slave 
1 toih'd for some i)ald iiillanee in the 

Came to me (unsolieit<Ml. reniendier). 
With words of clieer. and honeyed eonr- 

lesies; 
His tone was soft as duleet airs of May; 
Ilis lieart the mmv fount of sympathy! 
''What," said lie, "shall yougrimlyour 

genius liere. 
Down to the last faint edge; waste your 

rich thoughts" 
(Mark you the subtle flattery of this 

language), 
"Upon a thankless, ignorant, brutal 

fool. 
Who i)lays the patron with the grace of 

Bottom, 
His ass's head from out your flowering 

fancies 
Grinning in dull and idiot self-applauses; 
By every gentle muse this sliall not be!" 
Straightway, with hand caressing as a 

woman's. 
He led me from hard desk and stifling 

air, 
Forth f o his bowery home amid tlie hills, 
There fed me, sir, on kinihiess, day by 

day, 
Until this starved and tortiu'ed spirit 

grew 
llealliiy and hale again! No wish had I, 
lie did not hasten blithely to forestall! 
He called me "brother," drew from shy 

reserves 
l)f knowledge, feeling, poesy, full stores 
Of all my wealth — by heart or l)rain 

amassed — 
Ha! by Ai)ollo! what rare times were 

those 
We spent in "raj)! communion with th(> 

bards 
Each worshii)ped. and what jovial laugh- 
ter shook 



The Hying night-winds, when our graver 

1 looks 
Were cast aside, and he an artful mimic, 
A filmed rm-oittcnr. many a liumorous 

scene 
Enacted with such raciness of wit 
Despair itself had checked its tears — to 

smile; 
In l)i-ief, liy every wile a man I'oukl 

use 
To knit his fellow's heart-strings to his 

own, 
He made me love him! other friends 

were gone 
Forlornly mouldering in far churchyard 

shades 
And therefore — nndivided, ardent, sure. 
Affection centred all its warmths on 

him! 

And now, when wholly his. I would have 
dared 

For him all danger (you will scarce be- 
lieve it). 

But suddenly, as sometimes on calm 
seas. 

The watcher from some lonely headland 
views 

A gallant liark sink swiftly in the deep. 

Dissolving like a vision — thus his friend- 
ship. 

Its glittering flags of promise flaunting 
still' 

The trampiil sunlight, sunk before mine 
eyes 

And left me gazing like a man distraught 

Across the mocking solitude! 

n. What more ? 

A. "What more? Why, truly, sir, the 
tale is done. 

'Twas a sharp close, I grant you, to a 
dream 

Which rose so fairly; yet there's comfort 
in't! 

/>. Comfort ! 

.1. Ay. ay! rare comfort in the thought 

That tho" my years should reach the 
utmost verge 

Of mortal life, I sliall not dream again! 



58 



DRAMATIC SKETCHES. 



But pshaw! push on the bottle, 'tis the 
last 

Of a full bin that constant friend of 
mine, 

That lo3'al, noble, pure .Samaritan, 

Gave me, Avitli vows of everduring love, 

Three months ago at Christmas I Stay, 
a toast : 

"Fair health, long life, immortal honor 
crown 

The man who's constant only to — him- 
self!"' 



MORALS OF DESrERATIOX. 

The man who's wholly ruined, sir, fears 
nothing: 

How can he when all's lost to him al- 
ready ? 

There is a desperate gayety v.iiich comes 

To buoy one up in such a strait as this; 

Under whose spell, it is a sort of witch- 
craft. 

Men lose all sense of wrong, or rather 
take 

"Wrong for their riglit, rejoicing even in 
crime. 

Faith, now. Fd hiwdly answer for my- 
self. 

If in some garden solitude, like this, sir. 

At the hour of midniglil (hark! the deep 
clnu-ch tower 

Is tolling twelve), luiply I chanced to 
meet 

A pompous millionaire, a man who stag- 
gers 

Under his golden biu'den, like a ship 

Reeling 'neath too uuich canvass; I 
should ease 

My laboring couu-ade. thus ami thus, of 
all 

His glittering superfluities; this ring 

Is a brave diamond, and will serve me 
bravely : 

And ha ! by Pluto ! what a massive chain 

Meanders like a miniature Pactolus 

Across your worship's vest; my lord, no 
wonder 



You grow asthmatic with a weight like 

that 
Pressed on your gasping lungs; I'll free 

you from it ; 
And blessed saints ! but here's a fair-knit 

purse. 
And fairly filled, too! Shame it were in 

sooth 
To keep this gift of your sweet para- 
mour. 
Therefore, behold me! I pour out this 

coin; 
O Jesu! what rich nuisic! but tlie purse 
Duly return you! haste, your worship. 

haste. 
I Or else these itching palms will iind fresh 
I work 

I About your silken doublet, and bright 
i " hose. 

Or those trussed points you needs nuist 

clasp with jewels; 
Ay, haste, and take you comfort in the 

text 
Which the wise Messer SalvatoreDuomo 
Dins in our ears each sacred Sabbath 

morning. 
That ••lilessed, three times blessed, are 

the poor! '' 



THE ( OXDEMXE/). 

As in those lauds of mighty mountain 
heights. 

The streams, by sudden tempests over- 
charged. 

Sweep down the slopes, beaiiug swift 
iiiin with them. 

So 1 and all my fortunes were engulf'd 

In sudden, swift, complete destruction; 

The morning found me happy, rich, 
contented. 

But ere the sunset that black ruin 
came. 

And stared me in the face. 

Sir. I had reach'd 
A stage of middle life, when chains of 
habit 



THE CONDEMNED- 



59 



Cannot be 1)roken, save by giant 


Broken, amazed 


despondent. What 


AvrencheSi 


had I. 




When to be rudely hurled from llfe-louij; 


A scholar, reckue 


, dreamer, thou niay'st 


grooves 


say. 




Of thought and progress, leaves the 


In common with 


the work-day world of 


staunchest mind 


men ? 






"Almighty Kature, the tirst law of God, 
Perforce I followed." 



Yet, goaded on by fierce necessity, 

I sought work in the crowded haunts of 

cities, 
Thinking to draw on knowledge as a 

l)ank, 
Exhaust less, opulent, wherel)y all needs. 
Not born of random, loose extrava- 
gance, 



Would be assuredly answered. Ah! 

poor fool : 
Too soon experience clove the shining 

mist 
Of hopeful fantasy, and like a wind, 
Sidlen at first and slow, but raised ere 

long 
To tempest-madness, rent the veil away 



(U) 



D UA MA 1 1 C >S A' A' l \ 'UK S. 



O'lM- whicli ;i shM'l liliu" mclaiu'lioly 

lu'a\i'U 
(ilan'il on inc. liko a iiiockiu^- I'Vc in 

il.'aMi: 
'I'liiMi caiin' liy luni ini->niisi. ilospon- 

.I.Mir.'. iliva.l. 
Ami la-l, ili'-pair. w illi IVi'H/n ; the bi'uto 

illNl ilH'l--, 

'I'lial sU'cp liki- lii^i'is, JmiLiUHl. in llir 

WIo>h1, 
Willi iiali' or painiHT.'il IhuTu'-^, al iho 

si ins;' 
(>r ioalhsonu' I'aniino, woke, and ra^inl 

auil loif, 
'I'ill ( onsficnri', w 1u>m' tail- seal is in iho 

sonl. 
Till lu>aM>n. wliosc tlccp lil\> is in llio 

I'lain, 
Lay siloiil. lunnliMtil. A nuMv animal 

tiling — 
Ilyoua, liutT, wolf — \\liatt'\'r thou 

w ill — 
I soi/.otl my lu'cy ami rcni ii. W'iiat lo 

mo 
Tlu' roH>i'l<-\ lii;n\i'n;s of your juc^lini;' 

laws:' 
"Nature w iili t'onutlcss I'lamorous toujiuos 

t'lioii out, 
'' 'rhouliuuji'oivst, (Host; snatih thy ftnnl 

from fa to, 
Thiuiuh 't\\i\t thoo ami tlio lil'o-suslain- 

inu' lu'oail 
A huudrod slook. sii\ooiii. snooring- ty- 
rants stand 
Lauuhinsi' to sooru tliino untold aconiosi" 
Almiiihty Natiuv, tho liist law of (Jod. 
IVrforoo I follow od; iho falso oodos (>f 

u\an 
roifon'o 1 Inoko. And so, for this, for 

thh. 
]\laii's law that fain would run a tilt at 

Cod. 
Its inn\y woapon shivoring liko a rood, 
HJainst tho i;roat Imssos of .lohovah's 

luioklor. 
Appoints mo doath. W.'ll, woU. 1 foar 

not doath. 
Trusting that doath, poivhaiioo, is biit a 

ni^ht 



Shorn of all morrow , a U)n,ii, droandoss 

slumlior, 
O"or wliioli tho auos, hoar and solomn 

nnrsos, 
(haul ihoir majostio hdlabios, that hold 
Spoils of ohlixiou; I'ithor thus, or I, 
N\ lioso lifo-suu roso in shadow, sots in 

blood. 
Siiall lind a uoblor bcim;' in somo star 
T'oyoud tho sihory I'loiads. 

l''riond, thy hand ; 
Alono of all oarlh's oroaluros do 1 lo\ft 

tlu'o: 
Tln'o, and iho liillo soft-oyod, ponsivo 

ohild. 
Thy fairy dauiihlor. Stranu'ol bntwhon 

"l drink 
Liiiht from tho founts of hor lari;o, sori- 

ous oyi's, 
I soom to noar a tiomblim;', spiritual 

'I'o thrill upon iho utmost vorgo and 

brink 
Of mystio io\ olations. Trilhoo. thoi^o- 

foro. 
Ihing tho fair ohild onoo nioro: 1 yoarii 

to carry 
Tho dro.uu of hor swoot. i>itifnl. an>;or"s 

faoo. 
Vo ohoor tho roahn of shadows. Will 

she oonio ".* 



.i.v/7/'.i/7//a;.^. 

l.oxT. is no prodnot of tho obodiont will. 
It hath its root in thoso doop synipa- 

thios. 
^loro tios of blood aro poworloss to oon- 

trol; 
1 lovo thoo not booanso around thy heart 
An Arotio nature hath built up tho ioo 
l>f thawloss winter: vain it is to strive 
Aiiainst tho law of just antipathies: 
The Tropio sunlight burns not at tho 

Polos. 
Xor blooms tho lustrous foliage of the 

Hast 



MIS (JONS 7 11 1 ' ("I' I u N. 



01 



Allioiin tin' Idrky, si i iiiii-1miiiiiiI I Irliiiilcs ; 
To all my i;o(ls llioii ail aiilipodal, 
Tlii'icluiT, ii^iiiii, gDoil sii! I love llicc; 
not. 



.viscoxsrnccriox. 

Iluw man iiiiNjiHlLCi's maul llir oiilward 

scciiiiiii;, 
Gesture, or glance, oi' iilln-anrr ihal, may 



vVgiiiiist si)m<' pelly, pamiiered, i)oorcon- 

rril, 

nn\voflli\, iin(lr|iiii.||, is straightway 

made 
'I'o pf()\'c a, vast ()l)li(piily of soul, 
Ami shallow (lispiilanls, willi poiidei'oii.s 

show 
<»r JMilL^'lneiil Ihal provokrs Ihc wise, to 

scorn, 
Kxhort I he virluoiis hy I he i'oiil al)U.S<! 
Which damns thein lo the level of their 

•speecli. 



POEMS OF THE WAR. 



POEMS OF THE WAR. 

1861-18G5. 



Tlipse poems are republislieil with no ill-feeling, nor with the desire to revive old issues; 
but only as a record and a sacred duty : — 

" 7''((/('//.s ail uninin!" 



MY MOTHER-LAKl). 

" Aiiimis <>jji/>)(s(/)(i' /'iirii/l." 

'My Mother-laud! thou werL the fifsl to 

lllng 
Thy vh\!;in flag of freedom to the hreeze. 
The lirst to front along thy neighboring 

seas. 
The linperiotis foeman's power; 
Btit long before that hour, 
WTiile yet, in false and vain imagining. 
Thy sister nations would not own their 

foe. 
And tm-ned to jest thy warnings, though 

the low, 
Portentous miitterings, that precede the 

throii 
Of eartlKinakes, biu'dened all the oniin- 

otis air; 
While! yet they paused in scorn, 
Of fatal madness born, 
Thou, oh, my mother! like a priestess 

])iess'(l 
With wondrous vision of the things to 

come, 
Thou coiddst not calmly rest 
Secure and dumb — 
But from tliy Ijorders, with the sounds of 

drum 
And trumpet rose the warrior-call, — 
(A voice to thrill, to startle, to appall !) — 
"Prepare .' the time grows ripe to meet 

our doom!" 



Thy careless sisters frowned, or mocking 
said : 

" We see no threatening tempest over- 
head, 

(^nly a few pale clouds, the west wind's 
breath 

Will sweep away, or melt in wateiy 
death." 

'' Prepare .' t]ic lime (jrow.s ripe to meet 

our (loom I " 
Alas! it was not till the thtmder-booni 
Of shell and camion shocked the vernal 

day. 
Which shone o'er Charleston Bay,* 
'I'hat startled, roused, the last scale fallen 

away 
From blinded eyes, our South, erect and 

proud, 
Fronted the isstte, and, though lulled too 

long. 
Felt her great spirit nerved, her iiatriot 

valor strong. 



Death ! What of death ? — 
Can he who once drew honorable breath 

In liberty's pure sphere, 

F'oster a sensual fear, 
Wlum death and slavery meet liim face 
to face, 

* Fort Sumter, >Iarpli, 1m;i. 



(iCt 



r()/:.]/s or r/i/-: ir.i/;. 



S;i\ iuii:: " Chooso Ihou botwoon us; hoiv. 

W'liirli follows iKilriol marlyrdom, ami 

ihoro, 
l>l;u'U iloiirailation, hauulctl bv (lcsi>alr." 

riu'MTN lliouulil biiniis bliisbi's to tbc 

.•lu-.'k! 
I bcai- all "rouml about nio imiiumi's 

run. 
Hot luuriuius. but soou uuMi^iuL;' iulo 

one 
~~^«iul-stii'riu^ utiorain'c — hatUI iln> poo- 

,.lo>,H.ak: 

■ Our ooursi" is ri;ilUtH>iis. ami our aims 

a IV just I 
lU>Iiolii. wo sook 
Not uvoroly \o pivsorvo for uoblo w ivos 
'Pho virtuous prido of unpolhuoil livos. 
'l\> sbioM oiu- (lau^'btors froui Lbo st>rvilo 

baud. 
Auil loavo our soits tboir lioiiloom of 

ootuiuaiul. 
Ill gouorous iiornotuity of trust ; 
Not lUily to dofouil thoso jtuoiont laws. 
Wbioh Saxon sttu-ilinoss ami Noruiau 

lii-o 
Woiiloil fi>io\ oianofo witb fiooiiout's 

oauso. 
Ami bauilotl soatliloss ilow ii fi'oiu siro to 

siiv — 
Xor vol our ,iiiai\d ivligiou, ami our 

("lu-ist. 
rnsoilod by sooular l>atos, or sordid 

barms, 
(Tbouiili tboso l\ad suro sutViood 
'I'o nrsi'o tho fooblost Sybarito to arms) — 
Hut uioro tbau all. bi'oauso ombraoing 

all. 
Kusuriu?: all. solf -iiovoriimoui. tlio 

boon 
Our patriot siatosutou strovo to win ami 

kooi>. 
From prosoiont Piuokuoy and tbo w iso 

Oalboun 
To biiu. tbal liallani kuigbt. 
Vbv' vouuiiost obauipiou in tho So"»ato 

ball. 



Who. lod aud jjuardod by a hiuiiuoufc 

fate. 
His armor. Couram'. aud '''^ war-liorso. 

i;i-lit. 
Daiod ibrouiib tlu> lists of i'lo(|Uouoo to 

sw.'op 
Against tbo proud IJois (Juilboi-t of ilo- 

balo!* 

•■ Tboro's not a lono from om llio ii-cm- 

iug past, 
Tpliftod ouoo in smli a oauso as ours. 
Wbioh doos ttot smilo our souls 
In long rov(>rborating tbuudor-rolls. 
From tbo far mountain-stoops of aitoiout 

sior\. 
Al>ov(> tbo sboutiug. furious I'orsian 

mass. 
Millions arra\ od in pomi> o\' OrioiU 

powors. 
Kings iln' wild war-ory of l.ooniilas 
FiiK in bis rtiggod fortivss of tbo rook; 
And o"(M- tbo iiturninrous soas, 
Oompaoi of boro-t'aitli and ])atriot bliss 
[V'ov oom|uosl orowns lbo Atboniau's 

bopo at lasM. 
Como lbo oloaraooonts of Miliiados. 
.Minglod with tdioors tbat drown lbo 

battio-sbook 
l>osid<' ilu" wavo-wasbod strand of Sala- 

mis. 

■• Wboro'or on oartb tbo solf-dovotod 

ln>art 
Uatb boon by wortby doods <>xaltod tliiis. 
Wo look <ov proud oxomplars: yoi for 

us 
U is ouougb to know 
CMu- fatbois loft us froomou; lot us show 
'rbo w ill to hold our lofty boritago. 
Tho patiout strougth to act our fathor's 

part. 

" Yoa I tbongb our obildron"s blood 
IJain ■round us in a orimsou-sw oiling 
tlood. 



* I'iilr tbo j^Muuoriid debate on " Foote's 
f Uo,<<>bilioii." ill lS;i;.', 



ODE. 



67 



Wliy paiisi! rir faltfjr? — tliat red lid*; 
shall licar 
'I'ln; ark lliat lioMs (iiii'.sliriiii"<l libfrly, 
Ni;ar('r, aiirl yet m<ji<! m-ar 
Soim- ln-iglit of proiiilMC o'er the ciisaii- 
j,Miiii<'(l sea. 

■■ Al last, llx! r'oiilli'-l <loin', 
'J'he la(lcl(!iSH iii(;(;rl of (irial victory won, 
B(;l)ol(l! ciiior;;!!!^ from tin; lifted ilark 
Athwart a shiiiiiij^ suuuiiit lii;,di in 
hf^avcii, 
That dclcj^atcd Ark! 
Xo more, to In; Ijy vciif^cfiil t.<'inf)csts 

diiv(;)i, 
Jjiit iK»is(;d ujioii tin- sacicd iiioiiiit, 

whereat 
'i'he eongref<;at(!d aatiojis J^ladly f^aze, 
.Struck by the; quiet splendor of the 

rays 
'J'liat eirele freedom's blood-bought Ara- 
rat!" 

Thus spake the people's wisdom ; unto 

me 
Its voice hath come, a passionate augury! 
Methinks the very aspect of the world 
<^'hanged to tlie mystic music of its 

hope. 
For, lo! about the deepening heave.nly 

cojx; 
The stormy cloudland banners all are 
furl. -.I, 
Ami softly borne abovi; 
Are brooding pinions of invisible love, 
Distilling balm of rest and tender 

thought 
From fairy realms, by fairy witcliery 
wrought: 
O'er th<; hushed ocean steal etherr;al 
gleams 
Divine, as light that haunts an angel's 

dreams; 
And universal nature, wheresoev<!r 
My vision strays — o'er sky, and sea, and 
river — 
•Sleeps, like a happy child. 
In slumber undefilcd, 
A premonition of sublimer days, 



When war and warlike lays 

At lengtli shall cease, 

l{<;for(! a grand Aijocalypse of Peace, 

Vouchsafed in mercy to all human 

kind — 
A prelude and a propIi(!cy combined! 



(Ill li'jiior '>! LIk; liruvitry iiiul Hacriticcw ol Ui . 

Holllil.TK of tll<; South.] 

With bayonets slantc-d in the glittiMing 
liglit, 
With solemn roll of drums, 
Witli star-lit banners I'ustling wings of 
might, 
The knightly concours<! com<!s! 
The llower and fi'uit of all the tropic 

lands. 
The unslieathed brightness of their stain- 
less brands 
I'.lazing in courtly hands, 
On*; glorious soul within those thousand 

eyes. 
One aim, one hoix-, one impulse from 
the skies. 
While silent, awed and duinb, 
A nation waits the end in diead sur- 
mise. 
They come,! they come! 

The summer daunts her vivid leaves 

above, 
TIk; unwonted scene, 
The sunnner heavens embrace with 

smiles of love 
The hill-slopes green; 
Far in the uppennost realms of silent 

air 
Peace sits enthroned and happy, but oi' 

earth 
The cynd>als clash, and the shrill trum- 
pets blare, 
And Death, like some grim i/iowr-r on 

the plain, 
Tojjperl by the ripened grain, 
Whets his keen scythe, and shakes it 

fearfully! 



68 



FOEMS OF THE WAR. 



Our serried lines nuneh sternly to the 


Had fallen, — fallen in the terrible 


front, 


van, — 


Where decked as if they rose to eelebrate 


Like wine the life-streams ran; 


A joyous festal morn, 


"IJack! back!" cried one (it was the 


In glistening- pomp and splendid bla- 


voice of Bee, 


zoiiiy. 


Lifted in wrath and bitter agony). 


Slow moving as in scorn 


'■ AVe're driven backward! " unto whom 


or those weak hauils that guard the pass 


there came 


below. 


An answer, like the rush of st<>ady llame, 


Come gorgeous. Hushed and proud, the 


'Twixt ribs of iron, " We will give them 


cohorts of the foe 1 


yet 




The bayonet! 


They wheel! dt'ploy, are stationed, down 


The sharji edge of the Southern bayo- 


the cleft 


net !"■ 


Of the lonu' uorge their signal thun- 


At which the other's face flushed up, 


ders lun ' 


and caught 


A sullen answer echoes from our left 


Liglit like a warrior-angel's, and he 


And the great fight's begun! 


sprang 


O! who shall picture the immortal 


To tlie front rank, while swift as pas- 


fray ■) 


sionate thought 


Our .Southern host that day 


Leaped forth his sword, and this high 


IJrcasted the onset of the invading sea 


summons rang: 


With wills of adamant: but stern- 


" See! see! where tixed and grand. 


wcighti'd strength. 


Ijike a stone wall the braves of Jacksou 


Like waves liy some infernal alchemy 


stand ! 


Hardened, transformed to solid metal, 


Forward!'' and on he rushed with 


burning 


(piivering l)reath. 


At white heat as they struck, and aye 


On to his Spartan death! 


returnino; 




Hotter and more resistless than before 


Unceasing still potued down the fateful 


(All flecked atop with foam of Inunan 


tide. 


gore), 


And ]>luincd victory ever seemed to ride 


Pierced here and there our crumbling 


O'er the red bilU>ws of the northlaud 


ranks at length. 


war! 


Which as a mountain shore. 


AVhen faint and far. 


Kock-ribbed ami irt)n founded, still had 


Far on our left there rose a souiid that 


stood. 


thrilled 


And outward hurled 


All souls, and even the battle's thunder- 


In bloody siirayings. that tremendous 


ous pulse 


flood 


(Or so we deemed) for briefest sjiace 


Which, with wild charge ami furious 


was stilled : 


brunt on brunt. 


A sound, low hissing as a meteor-star, 


Had dashed against ns like a fiery world! 


But gathering depth of volume, till it 




burst 


Inceasing still poured on the fateful 


In one great tlamelike cheer, 


tide. 


TJiat seemed to rend and lift the cloud 


And plumed yictory ever seemed to ride 


accurst , 


On the red billows of the northkuid war! 


The poisonous-clinging cloud 


Our glory and pride 


That wrajiped us in its shroud, 



ODE. 



69 



While wounded men leaped on tlieirfeet 
to hear, 

And dylni; men upraised their eyes to 
S(^e 

How on the conlliefs lowering eanopy, 

Dawned the first rainbow hues of vic- 
tory ! 

Have you watehed the condor leap 
From liis proud Andean rock, 
And with hurtling pinions sweep 
On the valley-pasturing flock "? 
Have you watehed an eygrc! vast 
On the rude ,Septend)er blast 
IJoll adown with curved crest 
O'er the low sands of the West ? 
O! thus and thus they came 
(Four thousand men and more), 
Hearts, faces, — all aflame. 
And the grandeur of their wrath 
Whirled the tyrant from their path 
As the frightened rack is driven 
By the unleashed winds in heaven; 
Then, maddened, tossed about 
In a reckless, hopeless rout, 
The Xorthern ai-my fled 
O'er their dying and their dead, 
And the .Southern steel flashed ottt. 
And their vengeful points were red 
With the hot heart's tide that flowed 
Where they sabred as they rode! 
And the news sped on apace 
(Wh(»re th(! Rulers, in their place, 
Sat jubilant, one and all), 
Till a shadow seemed to fall 
liouud their joyance lik(^ a pall, 
And the inmost senate-hall 
Pealed an (icho of disgrace ! 
At the set of July's sun 
They stood quivering and undone, 
For the eagle standards waned and the 
Southern "stars" had won! 

Thus loomed serene and large 
Upon that desperate contest's lurid 
marge 
Our orb of destiny; millions of hearts 
Throb with l)old exultation. 
Tip t'<p>-o s'prts 



From mountain fastness, and from wav- 
ing ])lain. 

From wooded swamj) and mist-encircled 
main, 
Fi'om handet, city, field, 
And the rich midland weald. 

The spirit of the antique hero time; ! 

O ! 'twas a sight sublime 

To watch tlu( upheaval of tli(> popular 
sovd, 

The stormy gathering, — the majestic roll 

Upwai'd of its wild forces, by the awe 

Of Kight and Justice steadied into law! 

P'aith lent our cause its heavenly conse- 
cration ! 
Hopi! its omnipotent might ! 

And Fame stood ready, with her (lowers 
of light. 

To crown alike the living and the dead. 

While in the broadening firmament o'er- 
head 

We seemed to read the fiat of our fate, 
'■ Y(^ are baptized, — a Ts^'ation ! 

Amongst the freest, free, — amongst the 
mightiest, great! " 

An ominous hush! and then the scat- 
tered clouds 
In the dark northern heaven 

(Clouds of a deadlier strife). 
Urged by the poison wind 
Of rage and rapine, stillenly com- 
bined. 

Charged with the bolts of ruin! what 
were shrouds. 

Crimsoned with gore ? the widowed 
spirit riven ? 

The desecration of God's gift of life, 

To that one tliought (three fiery strands 
uniting. 
Hot from a Iladean loom). 

■' r!onquest ! "' " Kevenge ! " Suprema- 
cy?" The blighting 

Of untold promises, the grief, the gloom, 

The desolate madness and the anguish 
blind. 
All spreading on and on 

From uuirdered sire to subjugated son. 

Were less than nothing to the arrogant 



70 



I'Oh'MS OF ■nil-: WM!. 



^\ liicli liciilics, conipaots, lioimr. hiws 

(Irli.'.l. 
And Miiin'il ;i1hi\(' ;!ir w recks ol' Iciupli' 

and lower 
To I'ear (lie symbols of its luereiless 

power! 

iMinr deadly years we foimlil, 
Itinued liy a girdle of inifalleriuii,- liri'. 
Thai coiled and hissed in K-sseninu cir- 
cles niii'luT. 
lUood dyed llu>Sonthern wave; 
From ocean bordin- to calm inland ri\er. 
Ther(>wasno ikuisc, no peace.no n-spile 
ever, 
lilood of our hravesi hrav(> 
Drenched in a scarlet, rain the western 

lea. 
.Swelled the hoarse waters of the 'iVnnes- 

S(>(\ 

Incarnadined the !;ull's. the lakos, tho 

rills. 
Ami froni ;i luuulrod hills 
Stoamoil ill a mist of slaii,i;htor to the 

skios, 
Shutting all hope of licavtMi from mortal 

oyes. 
The r>eanfort hlooms were withered on 

the stem; 
Tlu> fair gulf city in a single night 
Lost, her imporial diadeu); 
And whorosoe'or luon's Ironhled visitui 

sought. 
They viewed Micur towering o'er llu^ 

humbled crest of iJUiiiT! 

Unl f(u- a time, but for a lime. () 

Cod! 
'i'ho innate forces of owv knightly blood 
UallitHl, and by the nu>unl. the fen. the 

Hood. 
Upraised the tottering standards of 

our raoc. 
OgroiKl Virginia! tliongli thy glittering 

glaive 
Lies sullied, shalbMvd in a ruthless 

grave. 
How it flushed once! They dug their | 

(ronchos deep 



(The implacalije foe). Iliey ranged their 

lines (if \\ ralh : 
I'-ul watchful e\cr on the inuniuenl 
path 
Thy steel-clad -cuius stood; 
North. S.iiiiii. l''.asl. Wesi. — they strove 
to pierce thy shield ; 
'I'liini iroiilil'sl iidl ii'idil! 
I'lUil. — uncoui|Uei-c(l. vea. uncou(|Uered 

still. 
Nature's weakened forces answered uol 

thy will. 
And gored witii wound on wound. 
Thy fainting limbs and foreiiead soui;hl 

the ground ; 
Ami with thee the vouni;- nation fell, a 

pail 
Solenni and rayless. co\criug one am. 

all' 
(hnl's ways art' niar\ellous; here we 

stand to-day 
Discrowned, and shorn, in w ildesi dis- 
array. 
The mock <>f earth ! yet uevci' shone the 

sni; 
On sterner deeds, or nobler \iclories 

won. 
Not in the licld aU)ne; ah. come with 

me 
To the dim bixouac by the winlei'"s sea; 
.Mark the fair sous oi courtly mothers 

crouch 
O'er tlickering tires, hut gallant still, and 

gay 
.\s on simu> brighi parade; oi- mark the 

eoui'h 
In reeking hospitals, w here(m is laid 
The latest scion of a lino iierchaucc. 
Whose veins were royal; close your 

blurred ronnnce. 
r>lurred by the dropping of a maudlin 

tear. 
.\nd watch ihe manhood here; 
That lirm luil ilelicato countenance. 
Distorted sometimes by an awful pang. 
r>orn in meek patience; when the trum- 
pets rang 
"To horse!" inU yestei'-moru. that ar- 
dent boy 



CHARLESTON. 



71 



.Sijnnis tohisoliargor, thrilled wilii liope 

anil joy 
To the very liii.u;or-tips. ami iiow lie lies, 
'i'lic shallows (Iccpciiiiii; in those falcon 

(■yes. 
ihit ealiii ami nmlisniayed. 
As it' Ihe dealli Ihal chills him, hrowand 

l)reasl, 
W'oiv some fond hride who whispered, 

"• Jjcl us I'esM " 

EnoULch 1 'tis over! the last gleam of hope 
Hath melted from our moiiniful horo- 

.scojie. 
Of all, of all hereft, 
Only to us are left. 
(_)ur liui'ied heroes and their matchless 

deeds; 
These cannot pass; they hold the, vital 

seeds 
Which in some fai'. untracked, un- 

visioneil hoiu' 
May ])urst to vivid hud ami i^lorious 

flower, 
^leanwhile, upon the nation's hro- 

ken heart 
ller martyrs sleep. O'- dciarer far to her, 
Than if each son, awreathc'd coiKpieror, 
Iiode in triumphant state 
The loftiest crest of fate ; 
O! dearer far, because outcast and low. 
She yearns above them in her awful woe. 
One si)rin.<; its tender blooms 
Hath lavished richly hy those hallowed 

tondis; 
One summer its iinix'rial largess spread 
.\long our heroes' bed; 
One autumn wailing with funereal blast, 
The withered leaves and pallid dust 

amassed 
All roini'l about them, till I;!eak wilder 

now 
[fangs hoar-fi'ost on the grasses, and the 

hough 
In dreai'y wooillands seems to thrill and 

start. 
Thrill to the anguish of the wind that 

raves 
Across those lonely desolated graves! 



CJIAHLKSTo.X. 

("almi.v hesiiU^ her tropic strand. 

An empress, !>rave and loyal. 
1 see the watchful city stand. 

With aspect sternly royal; 
She knows her mortal foe draws near. 

Armored by subtlest science. 
Vet dee]), majestical, and clear, 

Rings out her grand defiance. 
Oh, glorious is thy noble face. 

Lit up hy proud emotion, 
And unsurpassed thy stately grace. 

Our warrior (Jueen of Ocean! 

First from thy lips the summons came. 

Which roused our South to action. 
And, with the <iuenchless force of 
(lame, 

Oonsnnied the demon. Faction; 
First, like a rush of sovereign wind. 

That rends dull waves asunder. 
Thy prescient warning struck the blind. 

And woke tlie deaf with thtmder; 
They saw, with swiftly kiudUng eyes. 

The shamefid doom before them. 
And heard, borne wild from Northern 
skies, 

'I'lie death-gale hurtling o"er them: 

Wilt thou, whose virgin bainier rose, 

A morning star of splendor, 
(^uail when the war-toi'iiado blows, 

And crouch in base surrender ? 
\\'ilt thou, upon whose loving l)reast 

Our noblest chiefs are sleeping. 
Yield thy dead patriots' i)lace of rest 

To scornful alicni keeping? 
No! while a life-pulse throbs foi- fame, 

'I'hy sons will gather round thee, 
"Welcome the shot, Ihe steel, Ihe flame, 

if honor's hand hath crow ned thee. 

'i'hen lold about thy beauteous form 
The imperial robe thou wearest. 

And froni, with rc'gal ])orl the storm 
'I'hy foe would di'eam thou fearest; 

If strength, and will, and courage fail 
To coiK' with rulhless numbers, 



i'OA'jy^S UF lUE WAIL 



Aihl tlioii niiist ln'inl, (lospairing, palo, 
W lu'i'.' I li\ h'sl licrt> shimluTs. 

l.ili ilu" red torch, iiuil lighl the liro 
Amid Iliosc I'cu'pscs si'i'l'v. 

Aiul on iliy st'lf-mado runi>ral pyi'O, 
Ta^s I'rom tlic world to s^lorv. 



srr.ii;!'. 

A 111" ol' \(iiir luiiiiii ■• nuMinlain dow," 
r>\ ilu'iMiiii' tir<''> ruddy liijlit ; 

l.i't us driulv to a spirit as leal and tiiio 
As «'\<'r dr.w liladf in liulil, 

-^ud ilaslu'd i>ii llu" focmaii's liiu's o{ 

StlH'l. 

l''or (iiul aiul his in'i>pli'"s ti^hl. 

r»y hca\('!il it soonis tliat his vory nanio 

Kiubodios a ihouiilil »>t' tiro; 
Itstrikoson tl>o oar with nsousoof tlaino. 

And tho litV-hlood honiulcth hii^lu'r. 
M'hiio tl\c pulsos loap and llu- liraiii o\- 
pauds. 

In till" iilow K^i a i^i'and dosiro. 

Hark! in tlio day-dawn's misty gray. 

0\w buglos are ringing loud. 
Ami hot for tho joy of a i-oniing fray, 

Owv souls wax lionv and ]>rond. 
As wo list for tho word that shall lannoh 
us forth. 

l.iko bolts from iho mountain-oloud. 

^Vo list for tho word, and i; oomos at 
longth. 
In a strain so mighty and oloar. 
That wo riso lo tho souml with an addod 
stronglh. 
Ami our hoarts aro glad to hoar. 
Ami rt stir, liko tln> biwuh of tho lunliug 
stonu 
Thrills through us. frvnu van \o roar. 

Thou, with tho rush oi tho whirlwind 
frood. 
Wo rush, by a soorot way. 
Ami uiorry on sabro, and holnioi, and 
stood. 



Do Iho autumn simboams play. 
And ihodovil nuisl sharpon his koonosl 
wits. 
To rt'sono •" his own"" to-day. 

llo. yo who dwell in llu- forlilo \alos 

( >f Iho pl.Msant land of Tonn, 
Who foasi on Iho fat o'i hor frnilfnl 
dalos. 
How liiilo yo (lioam or kon 
Thai Iho sonlluM\i Mnral has harod his 
hiaiul. 
Thai iho Smart ridos again. 

■■('loso up, oloso upl wo have liavoUod 
long, 
Ihit a jovial night's in sloro, 
A night of wass^iil. and wit, and song, 

in yon oosy town boforo. 
Ijniok, sorgoani I .spur to tho front in 
hasto. 
And knook ;>l tho n>ayi>r's door." 

HolioKl. ho oomos with a ghost-like 
graoi'. 
And his knoo-joints out of luno; 
And tho oold. oold swoat runs down his 
faoo. 
r tho light of tho autumn n\oon, 
Whilo his husky voioo, liko an anoiont 
c'rono"s. 
IHos in a hollow oroon. 

llooannoi spoak; but his bnxoni danio. 

With iior trombling daughtors nigh. 
Shrioks o\\\, "Oh, honor thoir virgin 
tamo. 
Tass tho poor maidons by." 
(WhoroiMi. with a uriovons hoavo and 
sob. 
Sho pausod in hor spoooh — to ory.) 

•• Kiso upl wo loavo to tho ohurlish brood 
c>ur vongoanoo hath sought oro now. 

Tho faiuo whioh sviring"s from tho rnth- 
loss mi>od 
That orimsons a woman's bn>w; 

For sons aro wt> of a kimlly raoo. 
And bound bv a kniubllv vow. 



BKVOM) 'I'llF. ror<)MA(L 



73 



" Rise up ! wo war witli tho stroni; aloiif ; 


Tliero's fominj,' 


— (liush! 


(!an tliW! 


For wlien; was Ww cai'Jff found. 


ix-ar! ) — 






'J'o sport with an oitli'af^i'd \\-onian"s 


'I'l)ci'('"s •■oinin;^ a 


raiil tlial > 


hall drlvfj 


moan. 


tlii'Mi mad 






W lirn> tlif soiitlicrn ti-innjKts soimhI'.' 


And fovcr tliiui' 


land ui'li fi 


ai'; 




And you and 1, 


by til.- bl 


i;ssing of 


"Enough ! wliilc I speak of llx; past, my 


Cod, 






lad, 


Ay, you an 1 I si 


all i;i' there 


)j 




■• Tliey uroHti with tli<; Kiiii, ami caught life 
from liis lifflit." 



Jl/JiO.V/J '////■: J'OTOMAC. 



Tjiky slf'pt on tl)f; field whieh tlieir valor 
liad won, 

But arose with the first early hlusli of 
the sun. 

For they knew that a great deed re- 
mained to he done. 
When tliey passed o'er the river. 



Tliey arose witli the sun, and eaught life 

from liis light, 
Those giants of eourage, tliose Anaks in 

hglit, 
An<i they laughed out aloud in tlie joy 

of thc;ir miglit, 
Marching swift for the river. 



74 



POEMS OF THE WAR. 



On, on I like the rushing of storms 

throiigli tlie liills; 
On, t)nl with a tninip that is firm as 

tlieir wills; 
And the one heart of thousands grows 

buoyant, and thrills, 
At the thought of the river. 

Oh, the sheen of their swords! the fierce 

gleam of tlieir eyes ! 
It seemed as on earth a new sunlight 

would rise, 
And, king-like, flash up to the sun in 

the skies. 
O'er their patli to the river. 

But their hanners, shot-scarred, anil all 

darkened with gore. 
On a strong wind of morning streamed 

wildly before, 
Like wings of death-angels swept fast to 

the shore. 
The green shore of the river. 

As they march, from the liillside, the 
hamlet, the stream, 

Oaunt throngs whom the foemen had 
manacled, teem. 

Like men just aroused from some ter- 
rible dream, 
To cross sternly the river. 

They behold the broad banners, blood- 
darkened, yet fair, 

And a moment dissolves the last spell 
of despair. 

While a peal, as of victory, swells on the 
air. 
Rolling out to the river. 

And that cry. with a thousand strange 

echoings, spread. 
Till the ashes of heroes were thrilled in 

their bed. 
And the deep voice of passion surged up 

from the dead, 
" Ay, press on to the river I " 



On, on! like the rushing of storms 

throngli the hills. 
On, on! with a tramp that is firm as 

their wills; 
And the one heart of thousands grows 

buoyant and thrills. 
As they pause by the river. 

Then the wan face of Maryland, hag- 
gard and worn. 

At this siglit lost the touch of its aspect 
forlorn. 

And she turned on the foemen, fuU- 
statured in scorn. 
Pointing stern to the river. 

And Potomac flowed calmly, scarce 

heaving her breast. 
With her low-lying billows all bright in 

the west, 
For a charm as from tiod lulled the 

waters to rest 
Of the fair rolling river. 

Passed! passed! the glad thousands 
march safe through the tide ; 

Ilark, foemau, and hear the deep knell 
of your pride. 

Pinging weird-like and wild, iiealing up 
from the side 
Of the calm-flowing river. 

'Neath a blow swift ami mighty the ty- 
rant may fall ; 

Vain, vain ! to his gods swells a desolate 
call ; 

ILxth his grave not been hollowed, and 
woven his pall, 
Since they passed o'er the river ? 



BEAUPEGARD'S APPEAL. 

Yea! since the need is bitter. 
Take down those sacred bells. 

Whose music speaks of hallowed joys. 
And x>assionate farewells ! 



THE SUBSTITUTE. 



75 



But ere ye fall dismantled, 

King out, deep bells! once more: 

Antl pour on the waves of the passing 
wind 
Tli(> sj'mi)honi('s of yore. 

Let tlie latest born be weleoincd 

By pealings glad and long. 
Let the latest dead in the cliurchyard 
bed 

Be laid with sok'inn song. 

And the l)el]s above them throbl)ing, 
.Sliould sound in moni'uful tone, 

As if. in grief tor a human death, 
They prophesied their own. 

Who says 'tis a desecration 

To strip the temple towers. 
And invest the metal of peaceful notes 

With death-compelling powers ? 

A truce to cant and folly! 

Our people's all at stake, 
Shall we heed the cry of the shallow 
fool. 

Or pause foi' tlic bigot's sake ? 

Then crush tlic struggling sorrow! 

Fccil higli your furnace fires. 
And mould into deep-mouthed guns of 
l>roii/.c, 

'I'lic bells from a hundred spires. 

3Iethinks no common \engeauce. 

No transient wai- eclipse, 
Will follow the awful tlumder-burst 

From their adamantine lips. 

A cause like ours is holy, 

And it us(>th holy things; 
Whik' over the storm of a righteous 
strife. 

May shine the angel's wings. 

AVhere'er our duty leads us, 

The grace of (Jod is there, 
And the lurid shrine of war may hold 

The Kucliai'ist of prayer. 



77/ A' S UBS ri TU TK. 

[Thk crime of McNeil, perpetrated in one of 
our Western States, has now met with the rep- 
rol>ation of Christendom. 15ut at tlie time 
tlie following verses — cast, as the reader will 
perceive, in a partly dramatic mould — were 
composed, ten Confederates had l)een hastily 
exe(mtcd by order of a Federal comman<ler, oa 
a charge afterwards proven to be false ; and 
o/(t' of the unfortunate victims (a mere youth) 
voluntarily sacrificed his life to rescue his 
friend, a man advanced in years and with a 
large family. 

In the poem this latter individual is repre- 
sented as unaware of the youth's resolve until 
it has been executed. 

Between the first ;uid second parts of the 
piece, aliout tirentij-foar hours are supposed to 
have elapsed.] 

PAKT I. 

[Place — .-1 Federal Prison— A Confederate 
chained, and a Visitor, Ms Friend.] 

"How say'st thou? die to-morrrow ? 
Oh ! my friend ! 
The l)itter. bitter doom! 
What hast thou done to tempt this 
ghastly end — 
This death of shame and gloom ?"' 

'• What done ? Do tyrants wait for 
guilty deeds, 
To find or pi'ove a crime — 
They, who have cherished hatred's tiery 
seeds : 
Hot for the harvest-time ? 

'• A sne<'r! a smile! vague trifles light as 
air — 

Some foolish, false surmise — 
Lead to the harrowing drama of despair 

Wherein — the victim dies! 

"And I .sliall perish! Conu'ade, heed 
me not ! 

For thus my tears must start — 
\ot for the misery of my blasted lot, 

Cut hers who holiis my heart! 

"And theirs, the flowers that wreathe 
my hundde hearth 
With roseate l)lnsh and bloom. 



70 



POEMS OF TJlh' WAh: 



'ro-iutiii(>\\ eve, llicy ^l;iiul aloiic on 
t-ailli, 
lU'sidc llu'ir latlicr's loiiihl 

'' Tlific's I'.laiicln', m\ stiioiis hrauly, 
lillu and tall, 
AVilli iu'nsi\c eyes and brow — 
TIu'It's Kale, I he IcinK'i'i'st darling i>l' 
llu'iii all. 
W'luisc kissi's thrill nic now! 

*' Tlu'ic's lit lie I tost', Ihc sunshine of our 
days — 
A li'icUy, i^ladsomc sprite — 
How \i\idl\ come hack her winsome 
w a\s. 
Her lanLditers, and deliulil ! 

"And ni\ liravt' lio\ — my Arthur! Diil 
his arm 
t^eeond his will and brain, 
I should not i;roan beneath this iron 
charm, 
Claspin;; my chains in \ainl 

'•Oh, ( 'hrisi ! and hath it come to this :' 
Will none 
AVurtloll' the iihastly <>ud ? 
And yet methinUs 1 heanl the voice of 
one 
Who called the old man — Kriend! 

'' i\lay all t h.' ciuses caught from deepest 
hell 
Liii'ht on the blood-stained knave 
Who lanjihs lo hear the i)at riot's funeral 
knell, 
lllaspheminn o'ei' his !;rave! 

"Away I Such dreams are madness! 
M\ pale lips 

Had l)esi besiei;'(> Heaven's t-ar. 
But in the turmoil of my mhurs oelipso. 

No thought, no wish is clear. 

'■l>e,ir fiiend, foruive me! Sorrow, 
frenzy, ire — 
My bosom's raginu' guests — 
Uy turn ha\ e w helmed me in theii- floods 
of lire. 
Fierce passions, swit! inu'ests. 



"And now. farewell! The sentry's 
warning hand, 
'i'aps at my iirisou Iku's. 
We part, but not forever! 'i'luTc's a 
Ian. I, 
Conu'ade, beyond the stars!" 

"Veal" said the youth, and o'er his 
kindling face 
A saint-like glory came. 
As if some prescieid Angel, breathing 
gi'ace. 
Had touched if into (lame. 

fAt;t' 11. 

[ri.Aci;— '/'/(, siiiiu /'rinnii. t'r.KSONs — Tow- 
federtitf Prisoner, toj/ctlur irith Mr.Wil aiid the 
Jdihr.] 

The hours siidv slow to sunset! Sud- 
denly 

Kose a deep, gathering hum; 
And o'er the measured sli'ide of soldiery 

Iv'olled out the mutlled drum! 

The prisonei- started! crushed a slitling 
sigh, 
'i'hen rose erect and proud! 
Sct)rn's lighlniug(|uivering in his stormy 
eye, 
"Nealli the brow's thnuder-clond I 

And girding round his rnnl>s and stal- 
wait breast 
I'lach iron chain and ring. 
He stood sublime, imperial, self-pos- 

Aud haughty as a king! 

The "dead march" wails without the 
prison gate 

I'p the calm evening sky ; 
\\u\ rullian jcstings, born of rutliau hate. 

Make loud, unmeet reply ! 

I 

;The hired bra\ oes, w hose pitiless features 

pale 
In front of armed men, 
l>iu whose itiiiiiii(tHiiiioitt< courage will 

not (piail 
\\ here none c.iu strike again! 



BATTLE OF CHARLESTON HARBOR. 



77 



Tlie "dead march" wails without the 


Where from dim easements, black with 


prison wall, 


wrathful pride. 


\'\^ the eahu evening sky: 


Stern eyes gleam darkly down. 


Aiil tiiiii'd to llii'dicad di rise's rise and 
fall. 


They halted where the woodland 


Mii\c llic licrcc murderers by! 


showered aroimd 
Dank leaflets on the sod. 


They passed; and wondering at his doom 


And all the air seemed vocal with the 


deferred, 


sound 


Th(> eaplive's lofty fire 


Of wild appeals to God. 


Sanlv in his heart, by torturing memories 
stirred 


Heaped, as if common carrion, in the 


Of husband, and of sire! 


gloom, 




Nine mangled corpses lay — 


Ihu liark! the clash of l»olt and opening 


All speechless now — but with what 


door! 


tongues of doom 


The tramp of hostile lied! 


Reserved for judgment day. 


Wbfu lol upon the darkening prison 
lloor. 


And near them, but apart, one youthful 


<;lared tlie false hound — McXeil. 
And next him, like a bandog scenting 


foi'm 
Pressed a fair upland slope. 
O'er whose white brow a sunbeam flicker- 


blood. 


ing warm. 


Koused from his drunken ease, 


Played like a heavenly hope. 


The grimy, low-browed jailer glowering 
stood. 


There, with the same grand look which 


riankiug liis iron keys. 


y ester-night 
That face at parting wore. 


••(^uick! jailer! strike yon rebel's fetters 


The self-made martyr in the sunset light 


off. 


Slept on his couch of gore. 


And let the old fool see 
What ransom (with a low and bitter 
scoff |, 


The sunset waned ; the wakening forest 
waved. 


What ransom sets him free." 


Struck by the north wind's moan. 
While he, whose life this matchless death 


As the niglit traveller in a land of foes 


has saved 


The warning instinct feels. 


Knelt by the corse — alone. 


That through the treacherous dimness 




and repose 
A shrouded horror steals. 


BATTLE OF CHAHLESTON HARBOR, 


So, at these veiled words, the captive's 


Apiul 7, 1863. 


soul 
.Shook with a solenm dread. 


Two hours, or more, beyond the prime 
of a blithe April day. 


And ghostly voices, prophesying dole. 


The Northmen's mailed " Invincibles" 


Moaned faintly overhead. 


steamed up fair Charleston Hay; 




They came in sullen file, and slow, low- 


llis lind)s are freed! his swarthy, scowl- 


breasted on the wave, 


ing guide 


Black as a midnight front of storm, and 


Leads through the silent town, 


silent as the grave. 



i\ 



POEMS OF THE WAR. 



A thousand warrior-lioarts beat high as 

those dread luonsters drew 
More closely to the game of death across 

the breezeless blue. 
And twice ten thousaml hearts of those 

who watch the scene afar, 
Thrill in the awful hush that bides the 

battle's broadening star. 

Each gunner, moveless by his gun, with 

rigid aspect stands, 
The reedy linstocks lirnily grasped in 

bold, untrembling hands, 
(>o moveless in their marble calm, their 

stern, heroic guise. 
They look like forms of statued stone 

with burning human eyes! 

Our banners on the oiUniost walls, with 
stately rustling fold. 

Flash back from arch and ])arapet the 
sunlight's ruddy gold — 

They nunuit to the deep roll of drums, 
and widely echoing cheers. 

And then, once nu)re. dark, breathless, 
hushed, wait the grim cannon- 
eers. 

Onward, in sullen file, and slow, low- 

gioonuug on the wave, 
Near, nearerstill, the haughty tleet glides 

silent as the grave. 
When shivering the portentous calm o'er 

startled (lood and shore. 
Bi-oke from the sacred Island Fort the 

thunder wrath of yore ! * 

The storm has burst ! and wlule we speak, 

moie furious, wilder, higher. 
Dart from the circling batteries a hundred 

tongues of fire: 
Tlu- waves gleam red, the lurid vault of 

heaven seems rent above — 
Fight on. oh, knightly gentlemen! for 

faith, and home, and love! 

• Fort Moultrie. 



There's not. in all that line of tlanie, one 

soul that would not rise. 
To seize the victor's wreath of blood, 

though death must give the 

prize ; 
There's not, in all this anxious crowd 

that throngs the ancient town, 
A maid who does not yearn for power to 

strike one foeman down! 

The conflict deepens! ship liy ship the 

proud Armada sweeps. 
Where fierce from ISumter's raging breast 

the volleyotl lightning leaps, 
And ship by ship, raked, overborne, 'ere 

burned the sunset light. 
Crawls in the gloom of balHed hate be- 

vond tlie lield of ti^ht ! 



CHAnLESTOy AT THE CLOSE OF 1SC3. 

What! still does the mother of treason 
nprear 
Her crest 'gainst the furies that darken 
her sea. 
Un(iuelled by mistrust, and unlilanched 
by a fear. 
Unbowed liei proud head, and un- 
bending her knee. 
Calm, steadfast and free! 

Ay! launch your red liglitnings! blas- 
pheme in your wrath! 
Shock earth, wave, and heaven with 
the blasts of your ire; 
But she seizes your death-bolts yet hot 
from their path. 
And hui-ls back your lightnings and 
mocks at the fire 
Of your fruitless desire! 

Ivinged round by her brave, a tierce cir- 
clet of flame 
Flashes up from the sword-points that 
cover her breast; 

She is guarded by love, and euhaloed by 
fame, 



SCENE IN A COUNTRY HOSPITAL. 



(9 



And never, we swear, shall your foot- 
steps be pressed, 
Where her dead heroes rest. 

Iler voice shook the tyrant, sublime from 
her tongue 
Fell the accents of warning! a prophet- 
ess gran<l — 
On her soil tlu; (irst life notes cf liberty 
rung, 
And the first stalwart l)iow of her 
gauntletod Iiaia! 
Broke the sleep of her land. 

What more '? she hath grasped in her 
iron-bound will 
The fate that would trample her honors 
tffl earth ; 
The light/in those deep eyes is luminous 
kiW 
With the warmtli of her valor, the 
glow of her worth, 
W^hieh illunun(> the earth. 

And beside her a knight the great Bayard 
had loved, 
" Without fear or reproach," lifts her 
banner on high; 
He stands in the vanguard majestic, mi- 
moved, 
And a thousand firm souls when that 
chieftain is nigh. 
Vow " 'tis easy to die!" 

Their words have gone forth on the fet- 
terless air. 
The world's breath is luished at the 
conflict! Before 
Gleams the l)right form of Freedom, with 
wreaths in her hair — 
And what though the chaplet be crim- 
soned with gor<^ — 
We shall prize her the more! 

And while Freedom lures on with her 
jiassionate eyes 
To the height of her promise, the 
voices of yore 



From the storied profound of past ages 
arise. 
And the i)ompsof their magical music 
outpour 
O'er tlu! war-beaten shore! 

Tlien gird youi' i)r;ive cniiiress, O heroes! 
with (lame 
Flashed up from the sword-points that 
cover her breast ! 
She is guarded by Love and enhaloed by 
Fame, 
And ui'ver, stern foe! shall your foot- 
steps be pressed 
Where her dead martyrs rest! 



SCENE LV A COUNTRY HOSPITAL. 

Here, lonely, wovnuled and apart. 
From out my casement's glimmering 
roimd, 

I watch the wayward bluebirds dart 
Across yon flowery gi'oiunl ; 

How sweet the prospect ! and how fair 

The l)almy peace of earth and air. 

But, lowering over fields afar, 

A red cloud breaks with sidphurous 
breath. 
And well I know what gory star, 

Is regnant in his house of death ; 
Yet faint the conflict's gathering roll, 
To the fierce tempest in my soul. 

I, who the foremost ranks had led, 
To strike for cherished home and land, 

Groan idly on this torturing bed. 
With broken frame and palsied hand, 

So nerveless, 'tis a task to scare. 

The insects fluttering round my hair. 

()(JodI for one brief hour again, 
Of that grim joy my spirit knew. 

When foemen's life-blood poured like 
rain, 
And sabres flashed and trunii)i>tsl>lew! 

One hour to smite, or smitten die 

On the wild breast of victory ! 



80 



FOEAIS OF THE WAR. 



It may not be; my pulses beat 
Too feebly, and my beart is cbill. 

Deatli, like a tbiel' with stealthy feet 
IJi'aws nigh to work his ruthless will; 

Hope, Honor, (Jlory, pass me by, 

But he stands near with mocking eye! 

Ay. smooth the eouehl — pour out the 
drauLiht, 
Tlial, haitiy. for a season's space, 
Ilatii power to eharm his fatal shaft. 

And warn the death-damps off my face, 
A blest reprieve ! — a wondrous boon. 
Thank Heaven! this — all — ends with 
me soon. 



yiCKSDriiC.—A n.lLLAD. 

Fox; sixty days and upwards, 

A stoi-m of shell and shot 
Kained round us in a flaming shower, 

But still we faltered not. 
" If the noble city perish," 

Our grand young leadei- said, 
" Let the only walls the foe shall scale 

"Be ramparts of the dead!" 

For sixty days ami upwards. 

The eye of heaven waxed dim; 
And e'en throughout God's holy morn. 

O'er Christian prayer and hymn. 
Arose a hissiiig tunudt. 

As if the fiends in air 
Strove to engulf the voice of faith 

In the shrieks of their despair. 

There was wailing in the houses. 

There was trembling on the marts. 
While the tempest raged and thundered, 

'Mid the silent thrill of hearts: 
But the Lord, our shield, was with us, 

And ere a month had sped, 
Om- very women walked the streets 

AVith scarce one throb of dread. 

And the little children gandjolled, 

Their faces purely i-aised. 
Just for a Mondering moment. 

As the huge bombs whirled and blazed. 



Then turned with silvery laughter 
To the sports which children love. 

Thrice-mailed in the sweet, instinctive 
thought 
That the gooil (iod watched above. 

Yet the hailing bolts fell faster. 

From scores of flame-clad ships. 
And about us, denser, dai'ker. 

Grew the conflict's wild eclipse. 
Till a soliil cloud closed o'er us, 

Like a type of doom and ire. 
Whence shot a thousand (pnvering 
longU(>s 

Of forked iiud vengeful lire. 

But the luiseen hands of angels 

Those death-shafts warned asiile. 
And the dove of heavenly mercy 

Ruled o'er the battle tide; 
In the houses ceased the wailing, 

And through the war-scarred marts 
The people strode, with step of hope, 

'I'o the music in their hearts. 



Till-: LITTf.K WHITE GLOVE. 

The early springtime faintly flushed the 

earth. 
And in the woods, and by their favorite 

stream 
The fair, wild roses blossomed modestly. 
Above the wave that wooed them: there 

at eve. 
riiilip bad brought the woman that he 

loved. 
,\nd told his love, and bared bis burning 

heart. 
She. Constance, — the shy simbeams 

trembling oft. 
Thl'ough dewy leaves upon her golden 

hail'. — 
Made him no answer, tapped her pretty 

foot. 
And seemed to nmse: "To-morrow I 

depart." 
Said Philip, sadly. '• for wild fields of 

war ; 



THE LITTLE WHITE GLOVE. 



81 



JSliall I iio i^irt Mitli lovu's invisible 


A soft mist tilled her eyes, and over- 


muil. 


llowed 


Stronger than mortal armor, or. all 


111 sndden rain of passion, as she 


sti'ippi'd 


stretched 


Of love and hoix", march reckless unto 


Her delicate hand to his, and plighted 


death? ' 


troth, 




"Ami liy tlK'ii' l'a\ni-itc stream, 
Tlie fail', Willi roses blijssoiued modestly 
Above the wave that wooed them." 



With Hps more rosy than the sun-bathed 
flowers ; 

And Philip pressed the dear hand fer- 
vently, 

Wherefrom in happy mood, he .yenlly 
drew 

A small white glove, an<l ere she guessed 
his will. 

Clipped lightly from her head one golden 
euii. 

And bound the glove, and placed it next 
his heart. 

"Now I am safe," cried Philip; "this 

pure charm 
Is proof against all hazard or mischance. 
Here, yea, unto this self-same spot I vow 
To bring it stainless hack; and you shall 

wear 



This little glove upon our marriage 
eve." 

jVnd Constance lieard him, smiling 
tlirough her tears. 

Another spi'ingtiinc; faintly fhished the 
earth. 

And ill the woods, and by their fav(n'ite 
stream, 

The fair, wild roses blossomed modestly 

Above the wave that wooed them: there 
at eve 

Came a pale woman with wild, wander- 
ing eyes. 

And tangled, golden ringlets, and weak 
steps 

Tottering towards the streamlet's rip- 
pling marge. 

She seemed ])liaiitasmal, shadowy, like, 
the foi'iiis 



82 



I'UEMS OF Tilt: WAR. 



By inoonliglit conjured up from a place 

of graves; 
There, crouching o'er the stream, she 

hived and laved 
Some ohject in it, with a strained regard. 
And muttered I'ragmenls of distempered 

words. 
Whereof weie these: " lie vowed to 

bring it back, 
The love-charm that I gave him — my 

white gloN'c — 
Stainless and whole. He has not kept 

his oath! 
Oh, IMulip, IMiilip! have you cast me off. 
Off, lik(> this worthless thing you send 

me home. 
Tattered and mildewed? l^ook yon! 

what a I'cul, 
Eight through the palm! It cannot he 

my glove ; 
And look again; what horrid stain is 

here ? 
My glove; you ])laced it next your heart. 

and swor(> 
To keep it safe, and on this self-same 

spot, 
"Return it to nie on our marriage eve ; 
And now — and now — 1 Awiou' 'tis not 

my glove, — 
Yet Philip, sweet! it was a cruel jest. 
You siu'cly did not mean to fright me 

thus •.' 
For hark you! as 1 laved the loathsome 

thing. 
To see what stain deliled it —(do not 

smile, 
I feel that 1 am foolish, foolish, Phil- 

ip)- 
But, God of Heaven! I dreamed that 

stain was blood! '' 



S TOyE WA I. L J A CKS ON. 

TiTK fashions and the forms of men 

decay. 
The seasons perisli, the calm sunsets dic^. 
Ne'er ■with the xamv bright pomp of 

cloud or ray 



To flush the golden pathways of the sky; 
All things are lost in dread eternity, — 
States, empires, creeds, the lay 
Of master poets, even the shapes of 

lov(\ 
l>(>ar ever w ith them an iuvisilile shade. 
Whose name isDealh; wccannoi hicathe 

nor move. 
But that we touch the darkness, till dis- 
mayed, 
A\'e feel the imperious shadow freeze our 

hearts. 
And mortal hope grows pale ami tlutter- 

ing life departs. 
All things are lost in dread eternity. 
Save that majestic virtue Avhich is given 
Oiu'c, twice, perchance beneath our 

t'arthly heaven. 
To some great soul in ages: O! the lie. 
The base, incarnate lie we call the wurld. 
Shakes at his coming, as the forest 

shakes. 
When mouiUain storms, with bannered 

clouds unfiu'led. 
IkUsh down and rend it ; sleek ('onven- 

tion drops 
Its glittering mass, and hoary, coh- 

w ebbed rules 
Of petty charlatans or insolent fools 
Shrink to annihilation, — Truth awakes, 
A morning sjilendor in her fearless 

i-yes. 
Touching the delicate stops 
Of some rare lute which breathes of 

|iromise fair. 
Or pouring on tae coNcuauled air 
A trumpet hlast which startles, but 

makes strong. 
While ancient Wrong. 
Driven like a beast from his det'p-cav- 

erned lair. 
Grows gaunt, and inly iniakes. 
Knowing that I'etribiition draws so near! 

Whether w ith blade or pen 
'i'i>il th(\se immortal men. 
Theirs is llu' light supreme, which genius 
we. I 
To a clear spiritual dower 



STONEWALL JACKSON. 



83 



llalli cxcr o'er tlic aroiisi'd nations shed 

.loy, faith, and power; 
\Viirtli('r from wrcstlini; with the god- 

Hk(- thoui^dit, 
They lanncii a noiseless blcsslm;- on 

mankind, 
( )!■ Ihrouuh wild streams of lei'iibie cai'- 

nag(i bi'oni;ht. 
No longer crnshed and l)lind, 
'{'rainpled, dislu'vellcd, i;()re(l, 
'liiey proudly lift, where kindling sonl 

and eyc! 
May feast upon hei- Ix'antyas slie stands 
((Jirt by tjie strenglii of her invincible" 

bands). 
And freed Ihioni;]! kc(>n i-cdcmplion of 

till' sword, 
'i'hy worn, but radiant form, xictorious 

Lilx'Hyl 

AVe bow Ix'fore this grandcuf of the 
spirit ; 
We worship, and adore 

God's image burning through it ever- 
jnore; 

And thus, in awed humility to-night,* 

As those who at some vast eathedi'al 
dooi' 

Pause with hushed faces, jun-iticd de- 
sires, 
_^ We coiitem])late liis merit. 

Who lifted failure to the heights of fame, 

And by the side of fainting, dying right. 

Stood, as Sir (ialaliad puic. Sir Lance- 
lot brave. 
The quick, indignant fires 

Flushing his \ya\v. brow from the passion- 
ate mind 

No strength eoulil qu(>]l, no sophistry 
could bind. 

Until that moment, big w itli mystic doom 
(Whose issue sent 

O'er the long wastes of liaif a, conti- 
nent 

Electric shudders tiirougli liie deepening 
gloom), 

•This Dele was originally written to be deliv- 
ercil before a Soutliorn patriotic association. 



AV'hen in his knightly glory "' Stoncnvall" 

fell. 
And all our hearts sank witli liim; forw<! 

knew 
Our staff, oui- iiu]warl'_ broken, tlie line. 

clew 
To freedom snaipjieil, liis hands bad 

held alone, 
'i'hi'ougli all tlie storms of battle over- 

liiown, — 
Lost, buried, )n()nldering in our hei'o's 



O soul! so simple, yet sublime! 
With faith as large, and mild 
As that of some benignant, trustful 

child, 
Who mounts to hea\'eu on briglit, ethe- 
real stairs 
Of tender-worded prayers, — 
'\'et strong as if a Titan's force were 

there 
To rise, to act. to suffer, and to <lai'e, — 

< ) soul! that on otu' tinu^ 
Wrouglit, in tlui calm niagnilieence of 

power 
'Vo ends .so noble, that an anti(pie light 
Of grace and virtue streamed along thy 
way, 
I'ntii the direst hour 
Of cai'uage caught from that immaculate, 
ray 
.\ consecration, and a sanctity! 
'i'liou ai't not dead, t hou nevermore canst 
die, 
lint w ide and far. 
Where'er on (iiristian I'cabns the morn- 
ing star 
Manics round the s])ires that l<nver 
towards the sky, — 
'i'hy nami\ a household word. 
In cottage liotnes, l)y iiaiace walls, is 

heard, 
IJreathed witli low miuiinus. reveren- 
tially! 

Even as I raise this faltering song to 

one. 
Who now beyond the empires of the sun, 



84 



POEMS OF THE WAR. 



T.ooks down pt'irliauct' upon our mourn- 
ful sphere. 
Willi I lie deep piiy of serapliir eyes, 
F:iiie> nil veils I he future, and I see 
Alillions on niilHons, as year follows year, 
(Jather around our warrior's jilaceof rest 
In the jiTeen shadows of N'irginiau hills; 
Not with the ulow of martial hlazonry, 
With trump and nmlUed drum, 
'IMiose pil-iiini nnllions eome, 
I Jul with linwed heads, and measured 

I'oolsteps slow, 
.Vs iliose who near the presence of a 
shrine. 
And feel an air di\ ine. 
All roiiiul alioiil iliei:i hlandly, sweetly 

Mow, 
While liU<' dreain-niusie the faint fall of 
rills, 
Lai)sinu; from sleep to steep, 
'Pile wood-do\(" "plaininn- in her eovert 

deep. 
And the loui; w hisperini^'s of the j;hostly 

pine 
(Like oeeau-hreathinijs home frmn tides 

of sleep). 
With every varied melody expressed 
In Xature's seore of soUnnn liarmonies, 
IMeuds with a feidinu- in the reverent 

hreast 
Whieh iMunot find a voiee in mortal 

speei'h, 
80 deep, so ileep it lies beyond the reach 
Of stammerinj^ words, — the pilgrims 

only know- 
That shnuheriu!;, OI so calmlv there, 

below 
'I'he dewy grass, the melancdudy trees. 

Moulders the dust of him, 
l>y whose crystalline fame, earth's scar- 
let [lomps grow dim. 
The crowned heir 
Of two majestic immortalities. 
That whieh is earthly, and yet scarce of 
earth, 
"Whose fruitful seeds 
Were his own grand, self-sacrificing 
de.Hls, 
And that whose awful birth 



Flowt-red into instant perfectness sub- 
lime. 
When done with toil and time. 
lie shook from off the rainu'uts of his 

soul. 
The weary conllict's desecrating dust. 
For stern reveilles, heard the angels 

sing. 
For battle turmoils found eternal calm. 
Laid ilown his sinless swi)rd to clasp the 

palm. 
And where vast hea\eid\ organ-notes 

out roll 
jNIelodious thunders, "mid the rush of 

wing. 
And (lash of plume celestial, pausetl in 

lieaee. 
A rapttu'c of ineffable rtdease 
To kiu)w the long fruition of th(> just! 



SOXXKTS. 

I. 

OX I'm: (itivAi.nv of riiK im;ksk\t 
riMK. 

All! foolish souls and false! who loudly 

cried 
"True chi\alry no longer breathes in 

time." 
Loolc round us now; how wondrous, how- 
sublime 
The heroic livi's mc witness; far and 

w ide. 
Stern vows by sterner deeds are justified: 
Self ahnt>gation, cahnness, courage, 

power. 
Sway with a ride august, t>ur stormy 

hour. 
Wherein th-^ loftiest hearts liave wrought 

and died — 
Wrought grandly, and died smiling. 

Thus, oh God. 
From tears, and blood, and anguish, thou 

hast brouglit 
The ennobling act, the faith-sustaining 

thought — 
'Till in the marvellous present, one may 

see 



SONNJ^TS. 



85 



A mighty stage, by knight and patriots 

trod, 
Wiio had not shunuiul earth's haughtiest 

chivalry. 

II. 

EI.TJOTT I.\ FORT SUMTi;i;. 
And high amongst these ohiefs ol' inju 

grain, 
Large-statured natures, souls ol' Sparlan 

mien, 
Superhly brave, inflexildy serene. 
Man of the stalwarl liop(!, the slceph^ss 

l)rain. 
Well dost thou guard our t'oilress by the 

main ! 
And what, tliough inch liy inch old 

.Sunitc'r tails, 
There's not a stone that forms those 

sacred walls, 
But holds a tongue, whicii shall not 

speak in vain ! 
A tongue that tells of sudi heroic mood. 
Such nerved endurance, such innnaculate 

will. 
That after times siiall hcar]<<'n and grow- 
still. 
With breathless admiration, ;ind on tiiee 
(Whose stern resolve our glorious cause 

made good). 
Confer an antique innnortalily! 



OUJ! MAIITYIIS. 

I AM sitting alone and w(>ary, 

By the hearth of my darkened room, 
And the low wind's miserere, 

Makes sadder the midnight gloom. 
"There's a nameless terror nigh me — 

There's a phantom sj)ell on the air. 
And methinks, that tlie dead glide l)y me, 

And the breath of tlu^ grav(;'s iu my 
hair!" 

'Tis a vision of ghastly faces. 
All pallid and worn with pain, 

Where the splendor of manful graces 
Shines dim thro' a scarlet rain: — 



In a wild and weird procession 
They sweei) l)y my startled eyes, 

And stern with their Fate's fruition, 
Seem melting in blood-red skies. 

Have they conn; from the shores supci-- 
nal; 
Have they passed from the spirit's 
goai, 
'Neath tlu- veil of the life eternal 

To dawn on my shrinking soul ? 
Have they turned from the choiring 
angels. 
Aghast at the woe and dearth. 
That- war with his dark evangels 

liath wi'ought in the loved of earth? 

Vain dicam! amid far-off mountains 

They lie whei'e the dew mists weep, 
And the munnur of mournful fountains 

Breathes over their painless sleep; 
On the breast of the lonely meadows 

Safe, safe, from the despot's will, 
They i-est in the starlit shadows, 

And their brows are white and still, 

Alas! for our heroes ]icrishcd! 

Cut down at their golden prime, 
With the luminous hopes they cherished. 

On the height of their faith sublime! 
For them is the voic(; of wailing 

And the sweet blush-rose departs. 
From the cheeks of the maidens paling 

O'er the wreck of theii' broken hearts. 

And alas! foi- the vanished glory 

Of a thousand household spells! 
And alas! for the tearful story 

Of the sjiirit's fond farewells! 
By the flood, on the field, in the forest. 

Our l)ravest have yielded breath, 
Yet the shafts that have smitten the 
sorest. 

Were laiuichcd by a viewless death. 

Oh, Thou! that hast charms of healing. 

Descend on a wi(h)we<l lan<l. 
And binil o'er the wounds of feeling, 

The balms of thy mystic hand; 



8() 



IVEMS OF THE WAR. 



Till tlu> livos that lainont ami laiimiisli. 


Decked with dull wreaths of rue. 


WiMU'\V(>(l hy a touch divine. 


And shedding blood for tears, hands 


Fimu (hf (Icpllis of tiu'ir inorlal aiii;uish, 


waled with sears. 


Mav rix' lo tlic caiiii ot 'riiiuc. 


Lifts to the dundi, I'old stars! 


# 


Forgdtlcul Can the dancer's jocund feet 


/•()/.'(•■ ()7'77-.\V. 


Flash o'er a cliainel-vault, and maid- 
ens fair 


FouciOTTF.x ! Can it he a few swift 


Heud the white lustre of their eyelids 


rounds 


sweet. 


(>!' Time's i^i-eal cliariol wheels h;i\'e 


l.ove-weighed, so nigh despair. 


crushed lo nauulu 


Its ice-cold breath must fi'ce/.(> their 


The memory of those fearful slights and 


blushing brows. 


sounds. 


And hush love's trenudi>us vi)ws'.' 


With s|HHH'hless nusery fraught — 




Wlu'iTthro' we hope to i;ain the Hespe- 


l''orgot(cn! Xay: imt all the songs wo 


rian heijiht. 


sing- 


Where Freedom snules in liuhl ? 


Hold imder-bnrdens. wailing cluM'ds of 




woe; 


Foru-otliMi! scarce hav(> two dimauliuuus 


Oui' lightest laughters sound w il4i ludlow 


veiled 


ring. 


\\'ith merciful mist those dreary hnrial 


Our bright wit's freest llow. 


sods. 


Quavers to sudden silence of atfright. 


AVhose eiddness (when ihe hiiih-slrung 


Touched hy an untold blight! 


pulses failed. 




i'^'i men who strove like uods) 


Forgotten! No! we cannot all forget. 


W rapped in a sanguine fold of sonsoloss 

dusi 
I'l'ad hcarls and perished trust! 


Or. when we do. farewell to Honor's 
fac(' 


To Hope's swcel lendauce, \'alor's uu- 


i'oruoiicn ! ^^'hile in far-otV woodland 


pa ut ttei )t . 
And e\ cr\ uoblesi ( irace. 


.Icll. 


\\diich, nursed in l.ove. unght still be- 


Hy lonely mounlaiii tarn and nuunuu- 


uignl\ bloom 


inii stream. 


Al)ove a nation's tomb! 


in'i-ea\i'd hearts with sorrowful passion 




SW.'ll — 


Forgotten! Tlio' a llunisaud years should 


Their lives one ghastly dream 


pass. 


Of hojie outwearieiland betrayed desire. 


Methinks our air will throb with mem- 


And anmiish crowned wiili lire I 


ory's thrills. 




A conscious grief weigh down the falter- 


Fori^oitenl while our manhood cursed 


ing grass. 


w ith chains. 


A iKithos shroud the hills. 


And pilloricil high for all llic world to 


Waves roll lamenting, autumn sunsets 


\ iew . 


yearn 


Writhes in its tleree, intolerable pains. 


For the old time's return! 



LE(JENDS AND LYRICS. 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



1865-1872. 



DA PHLES. 
AX AKCilVE STORY. 

OxcE on the throne of Argos sat a 

maid, 
Daphles the fan-; serene and unafraid 
yiie ruled her realm, for the rough folk 

were brought 
To worship one they deemed divinely 

wrouglit 
In beauty and mild graeiousness of 

heart : 
Nobles and courtiers, too, espoused her 

part. 
So that the sweet young face all tlironged 

to see, 
Glanced from her throne-room's silken 

canopy 
(Broidered with leaves, and many a 

snow-white dove), 
Itoslly conscious of her people's love. 
Only the chief of a far frontier clan, 
A haughty, bold, ambitious nobleman, 
By law her vassal, but self-sworn to lie 
From subject-tithe and tribute boldly 

free, 
And scorning most this weak girl-sover- 
eign's reign, 
Xow from the mountain fastness to the 

plain 
Summoned his savage legions to the 

fight, — 
AVliereinhe lioped to wrench the imperial 

might 
From Daphles, and confirm his claim 

thereto. 
But Doracles, the insurgent chief, could 

know 



Naught of the secret charm, the subtle 

stress 
Of beauty wed to warm unselfishness. 
Which, in her hour of trial, wrapped the 

Queen 
Safely apart in golden air serene 
Of deep devotion, and fond faith of 

thos(^ 
The steadfast hearts betwixt her and her 

foes. 
The oldest courtier, schooled in state- 
craft guile. 
Some loyal fire at her entrancing smile 
Felt strangely kindled in his outworn 

soul; 
Far more the warrior youths her soft 

control 
^loulded to noble deeds, till all the land, 
Aroused at Love's and Honor's joint 

command, 
Bristled with steel and rang with sounds 

of war. 

Still rashly trusting in his fortunate star, 

This arrogant thrall who fain would 
grasp a crown. 

Backed by half-barbarous hordes, 
marched swiftly ilown 

'Twixt the hill ramparts and the West- 
ern Sea. 

First, blazing homesteads greet him, 
whence did flee 

The frightened hinds through fires them- 
selves had lit 

'Mid the ripe grain, lest foes should reap 
of it; 

Or hei'e and there, some groups of aged 
folk, 



90 



LEGENDS AND LYRICti. 



Women and inon bent down beneath the 

yoke 
Of cruel years and babbHng idiot speech. 
"Methinks." cried Dorack's, '"our arms 

will reach 
The realm's unshielded lieart; for lol the 

breath. 
The mere hot fume of rapine and of 

death 
Which flames before our legions like a 

blight 
Withers this people's valor and their 

might." 

The lifes played shriller; the wild 
trumpet's blast 

Smote tlie great host and thrilled tliem 
as it passed ; 

While clashing shields, and spears which 
caught the morn. 

And splendid banners in strong hands 
upborne. 

And i>huned lieluis, and steeds of match- 
less race, 

Anil in the van that clear, keen eagle 
faci' 

Of Doracles, firm set on shoulders tall. 

Squared like a rock, and towering o'er 
them all. 

With all the pomp and swell of martial 
strife. 

Woke the burnt ])lains and bleak de- 
files to life. 

So phalanx after phalanx glittering filed 

Firm to the front: their haughty leader 
smiled 

To see with what a bold and buoyant air 

The lowliest footman marched before 
him there. 

Till bis proud head he lifted to the sun. 

And his heart leaped as at a victoiy won 

That self-same liour, o'er which bright- 
hovering shone 

The steadfast image of an Ivory throne. 

But the Queen's host by skilful cham- 
pions led. 

Its powers meanwhile concentred to a 
head, 



Lay, an embattled force with wary 

eye, 
Keaily to ward or strike whene'er the 

cry 
Of coming foemen on their ears should 

fall. 
Nigh the huge towers which guard the 

capital. 

Not long I heir watch: one bluff October 

day. 
There I'ose a blare of trumpets far away. 
And sound of thronging hoofs whicli 

nnifUed came. 
Borne on the wind, like the dull noise of 

flame 
Half stifled in dense woodlands; then 

the wings 
Of the (i)ueen's host, as each swift section 

flings 
The imperial banner proudly fluttering 

out. 
Spread from the royal centre. Hark I a 

shout. 
As from those thousand hearts in one 

great soid 
Sublimely fused, rose thunder-deep, to 

roll. 
In wild acclaim, far down the ((uivering 

van ; 
And wilder still the heroic tumult ran 
From front to rear, when through her 

palace gate, 
Daphles, in unaccustomed martial state, 
A keen spear shimmering in its silver 

hold. 
And on her brow the Argive crown of 

gold. 
Flashed like a sunbeam on her warriors' 

sight. 
Girt by her generals, on a neighboring 

height 
She reined her Lybian courser, while the 

air 
Played with the bright Avaves of her 

meteor hair. 
And on her lovely April face the tide 
Of varied feeling — now a jubilant 

pride 



DA PULES. 



«Jl 



In those strong arms and stronger hearts 
below, 

Ami iKiw a prescient fear did ebb and 
Mow. 

Its sensitive heaven transforming mo- 
mently. 

Hnt soon the foeman's cohorts, like a 
sea. 

With waves of steel, and foam of snow- 
white plumes, 

Slowly emerged from out the forest 
glooms. 

In splendid jiomp and antique ])ageantry. 

An ominous pause! And iIkmi tlu^ 
trumpets high 

Sounded the terrible onset, and the field 

Rocked as witli earthquake, and the 
tliick air reeled 

With clangors fierce from eclioing hill to 
hill. 

Bloody but l)ri(>f the contest! All tlie 

skill 
Of Doraeles against the steadfast will 
Planted by love in faithful hearts that 

.lay 
Fiothed lik<' an i<lle tide that slips away 
From granite walls! Ilis knights tlieir 

furious blows 
Discharged on wliat seemed statues 

whose repose 
Was iron, or their fated coursers Inu'led 
On spears unbent as bases of a world! 
Meanwhile the whole dread scene did 

Daphles view 
With anguished, tearless eyes. But 

when she knew 
'i'he victory hers, down the liill-slopes 

she urged 
Her restless steed, where still but faintly 

surged 
Tlie last worn waves of timiult; there 

her bands 
Of conquering captains she witli fervent 

hands 
And o'erfraught swelling breast did 

proudly greet; 
Yet her pale face was touclied with pity 

sweet 



While the cliained rebels passed lu'r 

worn and sore 
With ghastly wounds, and shivering in 

their gore. 
But when, untamed, uncowed, in "midst 

of these, 
'i'he grand, deliant form of Doraeles 
liose like a god discrowned, lier wan 

cheeks Hushed, 
And through her heart a (juiek, hot tor- 
rent rushed 
Of undetined, mysterious sympathy. 
Viewing that haughty brow, that unbent 

knee, 
•'O kingly head!" she thought, "too 

well I know 
IIow bitter-keen to him tlie signal blow 
This day hath dealt! O kingly resolute 

eyes. 
Shrining the sov'ran soul! 'twere surely 

wise 
To change their glance of cold vindictive 

gloom 
To grateftd light, and make what seemed 

a doom 
Heavy as deatli, the clouded path to 

fame. 
Lordship, and honor!" Ah, but pity 

came 
To crown admiring kindness witli a 

flame 
Of subtler life; for he, the vanquished 

one, 
On whom that day his fate's malignant 

sun 
Had set in storms, that night would 

slumber, kissed 
By a fair ])liantoni girt with golden 

mist. 
A new-born delicate love, but dimly 

guessed 
Even in the pure depths of the maiden 

breast. 
Whence the sweet sylph had 'scaped her 

unaware. 
But when the evening silence drew 

anear. 
And round about the borders of the 

world 



92 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



The second night since that great con- 
test furled 
Its brooding shades, the young Queen, 

all alone, 
Paused by the dungeon floor whereon 

were thrown, 
At listless length, the limbs of Doracles. 
"How, how," she murmured, "may I 

best appease 
His stricken pride, or touch to tender 

calm 
His fevered honor ? with what healing 

balm 
Allay the smart wherewitli his spirit 

groans ?" 
Perplexed, and yearning, on the dismal 

stones 
Without the prison door she walked 

apart. 
Love, doubt, and shame, all struggling 

in her heart, 
Till the large flood of mingled love and 

woe 
Hose to her snowy eyelids and did flow 
In soft refreshing tears like spring-tide 

showers ; 
Then, bright and blushing as the moss- 
rose bowers 
Of dewy May, she pushed the huge grate 

back. 
And through the dusky glooms, the 

shadows black 
Dawned glowingly ! Next for a moment 

she 
Stood in a timid, strange uncertainty, 
Changing from rosy red to deathly white ; 
When, as a Queen sustained by true 

love's right, 
She spake in mild, pure, steadfastness 

of soul : 
" I come, O Doracles, with no mean 

dole 
Of transient pity, but to show thee how 
Thy mistress woidd exalt the abased 

l)l'OW 

Of one who knows her not!" There- 
with she freed 

His fettered limbs, or yet his brain could 
heed 



Or comprehend her mercy's cordial 

scope : 
His soul had shrimk too low for dreams 

of hope. 
Such swift misfortunes smote him : still, 

when all 
The Queen's fair meaning on his mind 

did fall. 
The locked and frozen sternness of his 

look 
Broke up, as breaks the death-cold win- 
try brook 
Its icy spell at noonday; yet his face 
Was lighted not by thankful, reverent 

grace. 
But flashed an evil triumph where he 

stood 
Spurning his unloosed chains. In such 

base mood. 
One eager foot pressed on the dungeon 

stair, 
"What terms,'' he asked, "O Queen, 

demand'st thou here '? 
I pledge thee faith!" Silent were 

I)ai>hles' lips. 
And all her gentle hopes by swift eclipse 
Were darkened. With a deathly smile 

she signed 
The chief farewell, as one who scorned 

to bind 
Her mercy with set terms. He turned 

to go, 
Self-centred, callous, dreaming not how 

low 
Her heart had sunk at each cold, shallow 

word 
With which his barren nature, faintly 

stirred 
By ruth, or love, or pardon, dared repay 
Her matchless mercy. On his unchecked 

way 
He turned to go, when, with one shud- 
dering sob, 
And deep-drawn, plaintive breath. 

which seemed to rob 
Life of its last dear hope, the Queen 

sank down. 
Wrapped in a death-like trance. With 

sullen frown. 



DAPIILE8. 



93 



And iiuiny a muttered oath, he raised Though but a wife in state and name 



lier form, 
Frail now as soni(> jiale lily by tlie storm 
\\'ind-l>I<)\\ n and Ijcatcn; foi' at woman's 

l<ne 
He could but vaguely guess, and no poor 

ilove 
Pierced by the woodman's shaft was less 

to him 
Than tliis fair spirit struggling in the 

dim 
And tortured twilight of unshared de- 
sire; 
Nor could he part the piu'e romantic fire 
Of such higli passion from the lukewarm 

flame 
That feebly burns in sordid hearts and 

tame. 
Not of love's heat, but vacant flattery's 

born, 
To feed his pride, yet stir the latent 

scorn 
Of that rough manhood such hard na- 
tures know. 
Waked from her trance, with wandering 

eyes and slow 
The Queen looked round, but dimly con- 
scious yet, 
I'ntil at last her faltering glance was set 
On Doracles, to whom — that he might 

see 
IIow a soft ruth to love's intensity 
Had strangely grown — she laid her deep 

heart bare : 
Then, with a sweet but nobly queen-like 

air. 
She said, " O Doracles, in just return 
Vm- all this love and pity, which did 

yearn 
To lift the(» fallen, and to find thee, lost, 
And slowly sickening underneath the 

frost 
Of bleak despair, I well might ask of 

thee 
Tliy heart, with all its rarest freight in 

fee. 
Save that I feel my virgin fame and life 
Must count as pure, when thou hast 

made me wife, 



alone. 
IJehold, O chief! I protfer, too, my 

throne. 
Not as thy freedom's sole condition 

given, 
But that men's eyes and scornful 

thoughts be driven 
Away from what in mt; may seem as 

ill, 
If — if — perchance, thou shouldst reject 

me still.'' 
At which hard word she droops her head, 

and sighs, 
While patient tears bedew her downcast 

eyes. 

Now, with sly semblance of a soul at 
ease, 

Her liberal proffer crafty Doracles 

Freely embraced. They passed the 
prison-bound. 

And that same day with silver-ringing 
sound 

Of trump and cymbal, the state heralds 
cried 

Abroad through all the city, far and 
wide. 

The Queen's vast pardon; whereupon 
her court, — 

Nobles and dames, — each quaintly gor- 
geous sport, 

Known in the old time, bold or debon- 
air, 

With feasts, and mimic strifes, and pa- 
geants rare. 

Did hold in honor of their sovereign's 
choice ; 

A choice none there would question! 
Not a voice. 

Gentle or simple, but was raised to bless. 

And pray the kindly gods for happiness 

And peace on both! Meanwhile the 
thrall made king. 

Albeit a secret anger still would wring 

His thankless soul, in princely fashion 
took 

The general homage, nor by word or 
look 



94 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



Uctniyt'd the i'csti'iing t'oiisfu>usiicss 

\\ itliiii : 
So i;r;unous scciiK'il he, Diiiililo" 1h>i>(',-< 

To waUc, :iiul wliisin'i' t'oiul. swci'l. fool- 
ish words 



Thai few coiihl mark her inist'ry but 
w il h siu,lis 

Doi'li alniosl as her own. At last, she 
wrote 

(Im>i- still her soul hailed, wati'fy and re- 
mote. 



CliKse {o her heart, that thitters like a One heaiii ol' 

hird's swc<'t. 

^Vooed in the spi-iun-daw ii : vet. alasl 

alas! 
b\)r joy that dies, and dreamy hojies that 

pass 
To notliingnoss! In "midst of this, ln>r 

trust. 
Came a swift l>low whieh sniolt" her to 

the dust ; 
News that lior ingrale love had hasidy 

tied. 
Whither none knew. S^earee had tlii.s 

shaft IxH'ii sped 
From fate's unerrinn' bow. than swift 

anain 
Hurtled a second steeped in poisoned 

pain; 
For now the whole dark triilh ean\e 

sternly out : 
Leagued with her bitterest foes, a savajie 

I'OUt 

Of inoinitain-rol)bers o'er the frontier 

land, 
lie unto whom she proffered heart and 

band. 
Kingdom and erowii, bad haitHl his 

treaeberous blade. 
And of the great and just gods iniafraid, 
Upreared bis .standard "neatb the blood- 
red star. 
And raised onee more the inearnatc 

eurse of war! 
Bo from that day all gladness left the 

heart 
Of broken Dajibles; she would muse 

apart 
From eourt and friends, her onee blithe 

footsteps slow. 
Her onee proud head bowed down, and 

sin'b wild woe 
Ooiiehed in the elouded depths of moin-n- 

ful eyes 



a missive tender- 



('haiined with such patlR>s. to her deli- 
eate feet 

It nugid ha\e lured a spirit, nigh to 
death. 

And straight iiid)ued with warm compas- 
sionate breath 

.V heart as cold as spires of Arctic 



Ah, futile hope! Ah, fond and vain de- 
vice! 

Not all the pleading elo(|nence t)f wrong. 

Veiling its vvonnds. and golden-soft as 
song 

Trilled by the brown Sicilian inghtin- 
gaU's, 

In dusky nooks of melamdioly \ales. 

Could im^lt tlu> graiute will of l)oracl(>s. 

Each tender line she sent him did l»ut 
tease 

And sting his oi)durate temper into 
hate, 

.\s if the deep harmoiuons terms that 
wait 

On truest love, were wasp-like, poisoned 
things: 

Her timorous hints, her sweet imagin- 
ings. 

Far tboughts, and dreams evaiushing, 
but high. 

Filled with the maiden dews of .sanctity. 

He crushed, as oiu' nught crush in mad- 
dened hours 

The fairest of the sisterhood of llowers; 

No further answer made he than could 
be 

Couched in brief terms of cold discourt- 
esy. 

Holding all love — the noblest love on 
earth — 

Of lesser moment than an insect's birth, 



DAI'IILKH. 



95 



Hiiz/iiiir its litV out 'twixt the dawn and Of \vint17 iMoonli!i;lit on Sil)f>rian snows; 



ilark. 
riial Icltcr.stint'd tlu' lasth(;ulllil'iil si)arlv 
Of I he (Queen's flickering reason, Miriicd 

her wit 
To wild and errant courses, sadly lit 
Hy waiideriiiEf stars, and oi'bs of fantasy. 
Dccmliiii that she full soon must sink 

and die, 
Daiiiilfs. st ill Iriii' to llialoiic doiiiinaiit 

thoii-lil. 
Anil lii-in affection wliicli such ill had 

hi'diiulit, 
SuniMiiiiicd licr learned 8crii)es ;ind i)aile 

them draw 
After strict form and |iiceeilenls of law, 
ilersolemn testament ; w lierehy sluigave 
Her thioiie to Dorai-les, wiiene'er the 

Closed o"e|- her broken liear'l and hum- 
hied head. 

Ihit now her chiefs and noiiles. hard he- 
stead 

\>\ circumstance, and drcadim^ much 
lest he. 

The rene;;aile, and relicl, who did lle(! 

From lose to league with license, yet 
should sway 

'{'he honoi'ed .Vrgive sceptre, on a day 

( 'ailed forth to solenni council and debate 

Loi'ds, liegcTiieu, nnnisters, to save the 
state 

From thicateiied tyranny and upstart 
rule: 

Thereto the WaU (^>Ueen, powerless HOW 

to school 
Features or mind to subjugation meet, 
Came weakly tottering; in her lofty seat 
She saidc l)ewildered, listless; all could 

niiii'k 
lieni'ath her lamiuid eyes the hollows 

dark. 
.\nd — save t bat sonjct lines as slu? slowly 

turned 
Her wasted foini, the (ires of fever 

burned. 
DeiitlTs prescient i)la/,on. on each sunken 

.•heck — 

Her face was palli 1 as a cold white streak 



Her ipuvering mouth and chill con- 

ti'aeted lirows 
I5(^spoke an inward tf^rturc, while from 

all 
The shrewd debate within that council 

hall 
Her dim thoughts wandered vaguely, 

lost and dnnd). 
ihit when bei' [litying maidens I'ound her 

come. 
And gently striv(' on lierdroo[ied head to 

place 
The self-same laund garland which did 

grace 
Her warm, white temples on that morn 

of strife 
A nd woeful victory, her sick brain seemed 

rife 
()nc(Mnoi'e w ith mcmoiies; in her hand 

she pressiid 
'I'he half-dead wreath, and o'er her 

flowing vest 
Strewed the ])lu(d<ed leaves iJiose aimless 

lingei's toi'c 
Unwittingly; which on the marbli; 

door, 
Down lliitteriu'.;. one by one, lay bluired 

and dead. 
Like the sere hopes her withered heart 

had shed, 
Suntteu of love; for now she touched 

the close 
Of the soid's dreamy auttunu, and the 

snows 
Of winter soon wouM clas]) her eyelids 

cold. 
Yea, soon, too soon I foi- while her fin- 
gers fold 
The garlan i loosely, and in litful giief 
She still woidil strip the circlet, leaf by 

leaf. 

Till now one-half the wreath is plucked 

and bai'c. 
She lifts her dim eyes, hearkeidng, as 

t houi;h 'ware 
Of mystic \()ices calling on her name; 
Therewith Ihm- cheek, wheuee the quick, 

fe\ere I llame 



9(3 



LEGEND!^ AM) LYUICS. 



Had quite pnlsod out, with one last 

(luivor, she 
Drops on tlio eushioiu'd d;us, passively; 
For dcalli, nioro Iviud tlian love, hatii 

lirouj^lit hor peace. 

Lonu' was it (>re lier strii']<en realm eould 

e<'ase 
To iiuuiiu tor Daphles; yet her l)urial 

riles, 
Willi all llieir nioiirnt'ul pomp, their 

sond)re sights 
Funereal, scarce were passi'd, wlieu lu-r 

last will. 
Despite ils liumliliui:: terms, which ran- 
kled si ill 
in all men's minds, her I'aitht'ul courtiers 

sciU. 
Willi iu>\\s ol' tliat most sudden, sad 

e\cnt 
Which made liim king, to restless l)or- 

aclcs. 
What recked lie llicii that lo ils hillcresl 

lees 
A ]>urc young soul had (lUatTctl of mis- 
ery's cup. 
And at'ler, deallfs? "My star," ho 

thoiighl. " tlamos lut. 
Fronting the heights of empire! All is 

'well!" 
Theri'on. iinpcllt>il hy keen desire to 

dwell 
In his new realm, wilh reckless haste he 

ro.l,' 
From town to lowii. till now the grand 

alH»de, 
The jialacc of the royai Argi\e rac(\ 
Did rise hefore him in ils lotiy place. 
O'crlooking leagues of gi>ldcn lields and 

streams. 
Fair hills and shadowy vineyards, hy 

great teams 
Of lahoring oxen rilled morn hy morn, 
Till the hared. tremulous hranchcs swung 

forlorn 
'(iainst the red tlush of autinnn's sunset 

sky. 
Housed wilh rich state therein, t'uil re- 
gally 



The Ivlng his sovereign life and coiu'se 

hegan. 
Striving at one swift hound to reach the 

\an 
Of princely fann^; his rare magniliciMice 
Of feasts, shows, pageants, and high 

siilendors, whence 
'I'hc wondiM'ing guesls all dazzled went 

their way, 
(irew lo a world-wide provcrh for dis- 

l)lay 
And cosily lavishncss. Yet one there 

was 
O'er whose gray head lh(\'<c days of pomp 

did pass 
Like purpling sliadmvs o'er tlie faded 

grass: 
AVil touched him not lo smiles, gay mu- 
sic's How 
Fell powerless on his closed h(\u-t's secret 

woe. 
While at tlicii- feasts silent he sat, and 

grim. 
Oftlimes the king a cold glance cast on 

him. 
.Vs one who marred their mirthtnl rev- 
elry. 
And ill the hoish'rous spring-lideof their 

glee 
Kose like a hoding phaulom I More and 

more 
lie fell a vague, dim tronhle at the core 
Of his rude nature stirred, whene'er he 

saw 
I'horhas draw near: siMiiclhiiig akin to 

awe. 
If not lo dread, tor this old man did 

stand 
Cliicfcst of Daphles' mourners in her 

laud. 
As chief of her life's friends. er(> that 

hlaok doom 
JStole from her heart its joy, her cheek 

ils hloom. 

Just where the nudiowtnl rays of noon- 
day light 

Streamed through the enrlaiued gloom, 
ohscurely bright, 




Fair liills mihI sli;i(l(iuy \ iiicyarils, liy gi'cat li 
Of laboring oxen rifled morn by morn." 



DAPIILES. 



97 



\\'liii-li w iiipiicil llic ni'cjil ;irt-iiiillcri('S /\iiil priiiccly wise i1i:mi lie '.'( )r iu't. Ili 



oil 



I'ii'hly i'(Miii(l, 



ho 



'I'lii'ii- liiiii.ii, 'mid iiiimy ;i slatcly jior- '. To (Icciii ///r all imworlliy to lirliold 



trail, i)ouii(l 
In Traiiii's of costly ivory, carvod and 

« fon^lit, 
A i)ictiirc. •.vlijcli till' kin,i,'"s eyes oft, liad 

soui^lit 
Willi anxious wonder: for day following; 

-lay 
Would I'liorhas, iniilcly soi'i'ow in^', maUi; 

delay 
(ioiiiii or <-oniini,r from llic conncil-liall 
'I'o \ic\\ thai mnlllcd mystery on Ihf 

wall. 
0\rr it llowccj :i \cil of sihci'y Ihk;, 
With Ihmv and iIktc line threads of gold 

sliol, llirou'jli 
The dcli('at,(! woof; and whoso chanccMl 

to Inrn 
A i.dam-1' I hereon, \\<Mdd IVcI his spirit, 

hnrn 
To [lirrcc tlic. jealous veil wliose folds 

mijiht liide 
Some pric(!icss marvel. \ow, at hii,di 

noontide 



iMy hra\(', forernnncr ".' '" Thereu)ion lu^ 

knit 
His nigi^ed hrows, the w hile his sold was 

"lit 
'I'o ki'cn, imjialienl wrath. With trem- 

IiIIiil; haiiils — 
liiil not for fear — I'lioilias unloosed tlic, 

hands, 
Studded with diamond points, which 

clasped the \eil 
Close lo its ))laee. 'i'iie staitled ])riiic(? 

:,'rew pale. 
As thei(;, in all her fi'esli youni,' .i:rac(>, 

did siiine 
'J'he faee of Daphles, with a smile di- 
vine, 
Into ai-eii dimples i'ipi)lin.i,' joyfully ! 
Some; faiiitly-p(Misive memory seemed to 

vii! 
"With deeper ieelings, in the low, quick 

lone 
Wherewith the king spake, whispering 

to his o\\ n 



Of one calm autumn day. the king again Ilalf-waki'ind hi-art, — " Ci-i'tes, it could 



.M<'t I'lioriiiis — his worn features drawn 

with iiain. 
And in liis ey(!S tlu; sliar]( salt-iheiim of 

:ige — 
Still )ioi-ing on the piefuri'I '■'i'lioii a 

sage!" 
Sneered iJorackis, ''yet idly hmt, for- 
sooth, 
On vaporing fancies?" 'i'hen. mroc 

harsh, "'I'he tr-iith! 
The //■'////, old maul What strong spell 

drags thee hfi-e :' 
(Some charm, methinks, 'twixt passion 

and despair:) 
Morn after morn, forcing tliini' eyes (o 

sti'ay 



not he 
'i'liat she, who (jwned the gloiions face I 

IJright with all hrightness of a young 

deliiihl. 

Vet ]>ined and withered 'm^atli the fatal 

night 
Of starless grief I" To which, '''I'hy 

])ardon, sire," 
The old man said, "hut ere; my life's 

low fire 
lialh f|iiiti- gone, out, I fain would free 

my soul 
Of that whieli long hath horni- me care 

a,iid dol(;; 
I So, sovenugn lord, list lothetale I lelll" 



O'er you hiank mystery? rrythee, i Anil tlujrcwithal did I'hoihas deem it 



riiorhas, say 



well 



What image lurks beneath that glimmer- 'J'o show how Dajihles' daikened life did 

lug shroud ? i wane ; 

I'erchauce the last king's ? Weill am I How love, first touched hy douht, soon 



less proud 



changed lo i)ain, 



98 



LJ:(.iKM);S AM) Ll'lUCS. 



Ami. last, blank desolation, \\iioso wilil 


Of ruder thoujihts, but. thickly inu'tcr- 


stress 


inu, laid 


\Vri'i'k('il and niadc bare licr luTt'oct 


On the fair portrait of the soNcreiuu 


loxcliiu'ss. 


maid 


(>'<'r\\ hi'hninuwit with bcauly. "Siill." 


A reverent hand : from "uudsi the painted 


said ho. 


dome 


••V>sir(>I to her last hour most tcndoily 


Of the ur.'al uallcry forth he bore it 


!Sho spake of tlu'e, her twilight reason 


honu> 


set 


Tuto the secret idiamber i>f his rest; 


0\\ the sole thouulit, 'Mi/ li>rc iniu/ lore 


There next his i-ouch he placed the boaii- 


Hie i/i t : 


leous guest ; 


For liidii's loiH' foiiicf! iriHi kuoirlnhjc. 


'There feasted on its sweetness; and since 


so I th'ciu. 


nauuht 


i^loir-lutirtcil man's !' Ah. heavenlslu> 


(>f piil)lic import now did claim his 


eonld not dream. 


thou-hl. 


Ihil ///// name tilled her dreams, '\\1umi 


No tierce war threatened, no shrewd trea- 


niadn(>ss stole 


ties pressed. 


Like a dread misi about her. and her 


.strauucly the picture mastered him; it 


soul. 


grew , 


Wound in its \ iewless eeiemenl -folds 


As days, then wctdvs, and seasons, o'er 
him tlew , 


.u ( m sett 


" Madness I"' the kinu; cried in a sharp 


A part, an inmost t>ss(>nce of all lif<\ 


outburst 


W'liich touched [o joy ov tiirilled to 


0< w ild ama/emeut : "■madness! /have 


shuddering strife 


know n 


'l"he soul's deep-seated issues: yet. at last. 


■['he mad impatience of a w ill o'er^rown. 


Stronger the tierco slriTo waxeil ; the bliss 


When slernh thwarted in its tierv 


w as passed : 


/.eal. " 


And. wheresoe'or the king went, night 


Hut dreamed not how these faii\v er<\it- 


ov day. 


ures feel. 


«.>ne hauniiug phantom barred his 


'These soft, frail-natured women, if. per- 


doomed way I 


chance. 




l.o\e turn on them a lold oi- lukewarm 


r>ut ere he reached the worst wild Stage 


glauce 


of WO(\ 


0( brief denial!"" 'I'hcn the inipalii'ut 


Through many a change of passion, sw ift 


red. 


or slow , 


In a sw ift llood. — but not of anuer. — 


'The king passed downward, nearing 


spread 


treacherous death; 


(>"erthe kiin;"s face; convulsed it seemed. 


And thus it happed, our old-world legend 


and stern. 


saith; 


IJui when from i;arrnlous Thorbas lu> did 




lea III 


'Th\> u\ore he gazed on Uaphlcs" blooming 


How the quoon's laurel wreath half bari- 


face. 


beeaiuo. 


All tlusheil with hai>py youth and Hebe 


The hot blood ebbed, audo"erits waning' 


gi-ac<\ 


tlame 


'The nuM'c her mar\ elknis image sct'med 


(.'oiu'seil the first tear his warrioi--sonl 


ali\ e; 


had sh«>d. 


He saw, or dieamcil he saw, the warm 


Nor I'oiilil ho rouse aji'ain the Instihead 


bknul strive. 



l)AI'IILh:S. 



99 



III riidilifr lidc, with foiiHcious liiuis to 

.lye 
Hit lovely l»i'ow ami swaiiliki' iicfk, oi' 

\ i<" 
Willi Syrian roses on Iht cjiccks of 

llanic; 
'l'lii> iiiori- 111- .^a/.cil, llir nioii- Iht lips 

iici'aiiii! 
InslincL wilii timorous inolion, till a 

si.U'li. 
.\fU-l)oiM of ]ioncy(!(l love unwittingly, 
.Seemed JK^verinji; like a nnirmiiroiis fairy- 

lj(;e 
About their rieli, half-parteil comeli- 
ness : 
What slif^ht hreatli softly stu's tlie ti'iiant 

tress, 
W'liirji lik(! a waif of sans(;t light <lid 

rest 

In wandeiing goldon Instro on iier 

bir-ast ? 
And wliat (h^ar tliouglit ]ier bosom gra- 
ciously 
Heaves inlogenth' billows, like a sea 
Moon-kissed, and whispering? Thus 

the king would task 
Long hours with doting questions, when 

tin; mask 
Of didl state forms and eeienK^nial 

play 
With wr'arieil biain and hand was east 

away, 
And he a dead maiil's erafty image 

turned 
To breathing life, and blissful lovt; that 

binned 
From her wild pulses and fond heart to 

his, 
And (ill her mouth he pn^ssed a bridc;- 

grorjm's kiss. 

Then the sweet spell was broken; eon- 
seience spok<; ; 

And in her burning de])tlis pale mr^niory 
woke. 

Kven in that gentle shape his eold self- 
will' 

Had .strangely turned, and wrought him 
direful ill; 



Oistenijiered, moody, soiihI imes nigh 

distraught 
Will) eeaseless pressui'e of one liairow- 

ing thought, 
lie grew, and hapless thrills of lonely 

pain ; 
Her ))ieliire, iniag<'d on his hiarl and 

brain, 
lliiied all his tides of being, as the moon 
Draws eliaiigeful seas; now in a elear 

high noon 
Of m(;niorl(,'s bitter-sw(!et his soul would 

swim. 
Anon to sink in turbulent gulfs and dim 
Of wild regret, or as the d<;ad to lie 
I.oeked ill a mute, life-witln^ring letli- 

argy. 
Creator sweet of all his fortunes high, 
Oh, that in Hades she eoiild hear liis 

ery 
Remorseful, and eome baek in pitying 

guise 
To (;ase his grief and ealni his loituj-ed 

sighs! 
\ thousand, thousand times this wild 

<lesire 
W'oiilil wake, and surge through all his 

veins like (ire: 
Followed, alas, too soon, by sueb deep 

sense 
Of powerl<!ss will, and mortal imi>olenee. 
As in i'(;d liurry u|> fr<;m soul to cheeks 
Runs rir>tirig, and ever harshly sectks 
'i'o drag them into gaunt, gi'ay lines of 

car<;I 
^Months si»ed eventless, with his dark 

despair 
Oro wn darker; till, one sad November 

morn. 
Set to the rhythmic wail of winds for- 
lorn. 
They found, just wli<;re the. morning's 

shadowy gloom 
Had gathererl deepest in the itrince'H 

room. 
His prostrate boily, cold and turned in 

part 
Upwards, — tlie Vdade's hilt glittering 

o'er his heart, 



100 



LEGENDS AND I.VUICS. 



\\ licrc liisiiwii iicitl liulil ;niu li;iil scut 

il lllUlU'. 

li.'iu-alli liim, in soil liuh'il, I'Miit'lt'ss 

I'looui, 
l>ni(\illi iiiui suiilcil Ihc |uirlr;iil he iiad 

lorn 
Maill\ limu oil liio wail, iiis wan lace 

born,' 
N('\l llu'i'li'ai- lui^liln.'ss oT liial iil'c 

iilvOOIU- 

l'"or w liosc lair salvo lu- la\,al lasl iiii 

.loiu'; 
I'.iu whoso L;i;ul sinili", coiilil s/u liavo 

li\i'il tlial hour. 
llaii waui'ii ami willu'U'd inwanl, liKo a 

llow.M- 
'I'll.' siorniwiiiil lijiuhls. al sloiii ic- 

\tMij;i>, liUc I his, 
Ot' lo\A''s rolil .si'oi'li ami passion's unpaid 

kiss. 



Airmrt. 



1 1" is a swiv'l liadilion, willi a sold 

t>l' U'ud.'i.'si paihosl lli'arUon, love! — 

lor all 
rho sacivil imdorcunvnts ol' I he hoart 
'rhrlll lo its oordial nuisii-: 

Omw a chiot'. 
rhilanins, kin;; of Sparia, loll ihoslorn 
And hlcaU dclilcs of his nnfruiiful 

land 
i;irt l>y a hand of (>ai;vr colonists — 
To soi'k now homos on I'nir Italiaiv 

\>lains. 
Apollo's oraolo had darkly spokon: 
'■ ir/art'o" j'loni c/oiuNcnn .^A/tN « 

OiitpiHtrttftfif Fiitifidtcirc t/iat i/enhotihl 

p(UIKV 

Ami rcitr i/iuir liousc/iolil iJcidvs!" 

lu'U'koil 1>Y lionbt 
rhilanins travoisod wilh his faithful 

hand 
I'ull nianv a hounioons roahu; hni still 

dofoal 
l>;ukonod his hannors, and tho slrong- 

wallod towns 



His dospoialo sioi^cs j^riinly lan.^hod lo 

soorn ! 
W'oiuliod down li\ anxious I houL^hls, iino 

snlliN o\i' 
Tho wairior his rndi' hohnol oasi 

asido — 
Koslod his W('ar> hoad upon llio lap 
Ol his fail' wife, who lo\od him li>n- 

dorl\ ; 
And llioro ho drank a uouoious dianuhl 

of sloop. 

Sho. ua/inu on liis \\\o\\ all worn wilh 

loil 
And his dai'k looks, which pain had 

sih orod o\or 
\\ilh ulisioninu lonohos of a frosty 

rimo, 
WopI on I ho snddon hillorly; hor 

loars 
l'\'ll on his faoo, and. wondorin^', ho 

woko. 
" () hlost an ilion, in\ Aoihra. iiii/ rlmr 

.v'A'//." 
llo criod oNullani. •'from wlio^i" pilyinji' 

hln.' 
.\ hoart-rain falls to fortili/A> my fato: 
lio! tl\o (loop ridillc's solvoil — tlio i;ods 

spakt" irnih I " 

So llio uo\l nii;hl ho sU>rn\od 'raronlnm. 

look 
'I'ho ouomx's host ;u vaiUago, and o'or- 

Ihrow 
His inijihtiost oai>tains. 'I'honoo with 

kindly sway 
Ho ruled Ihoso ploasani regions ho had 

won, -- 
lUit iloaror o\ou than his jioh ilomosnos 
Tho lo\o of hor wluiso j;viitlo toars un- 

liH-kod 
The oloso-slmt ni\sior\ of tho «.h-aolol 



i; h: \ f: tr h: n. 



Wki.comk, ripplinji' sunshino! 

Woloimio, joymis air I 
l.iko a donuui shadow 

Klios'tlio jiaunt dospairl 



i!h:Ni<:\vi<:i). 



101 



II.MVcii, lliioii-li ll(•i;;lll^ nl' liMpiiy 

lis liiMil of lii'iU'ls mii'loscs, 
I'o will (Mi'lirs iiiiswcriii'^ li)\c ill 
ImIiii. 
I !rr hliisliiiiu I liMiiUs — ill roses! 

N'oices I'lom I ill' |)iiic-i;rov(', 

Wlinr I ill' piiraHiinrs (Iriiiiiiiiiiii;-, 
X'oiccs Irniii I ill' IVriiy liiils 
\li\i' uil li iiiMTl liiiiiiiiiiii|4; 



'Vi)i<'<'s iow iiikI swci'I 

l''i()iii I lie i:ir-i>ll' si UMiii, 

\\ \\r\r I W I) li\ llli'ls llircl 

\\ il ii I ill' iiiiiriiiiii' i>l :i (Irc^uii ; 
N'oici's idiid .iiiil li'i'i' 
I'Viilll r\ rl \ Inisii .'iml Ircr, 
( )t' s|ii)rl i\i' lui'i'sl li:ii'ils()Ul,|i(iiii'iiij^soiig.S 
of j^iiuliii'ss; 
llill over lliclll sliii 
W'il II ils i>ii,ssioii;i,li' Iriil, 
'i'iir iiioi'ii'lilrii's ioriiiiii niiuiiirss! 



V-- ■'^■^'■'i 







iMohi 111.' I:ii' I. II f n-.:uii." 



I)i'(']i ilnw II I III' sw.llllpN liiaUr 
l'!\ I'll I ill' |ioi--iiil-sli;ilii'. 
VlH'oilril ;ill(l liiiskilli^ ill liir lioollliiir 

spiiMiiJor, 
May f(M'l, itci'cliiiin'i' on I his iiiisipjrioiis 

(lay 
(All (iai'U I'ioiiils rolli'd away), 
'J'liroiitili his staiiiianl. hlooil, 
WariiK'iJ iiy thi' ,siiiili,i,'lit. Hood 
A faiiil, far sense, 
f.'oiiiiiiij Ik- kiK)\vs iml w iHiiec, 
Of dim iiili'llini'iu'i'.— 
'['he tliiiiiii'^l roiiscioiis llii'ill lliat limiian 
is, ami ti'iiili'i'I 

Ijook! wlien; on liimiiioiis wiiii^ 
The ether's stately kiiij,', 



'i'iir lone sea-t'a;;l(', rireiiii'j; pioiid and 

slow. 
Towers in I in' sapphiri' 'j,1ow ; 

l''roni out wliosc i\x/./.\\ws, l)i'am. 

His resonant sei'eain ; 
Heard even here, — a note of lieiec 

desire. — 

linslii's lo silent awe the sylvaai choir. 

Till liiri! and nole in ai;y deeps up- 
drawn 

Are iiiellini; loward Ihe dawn ! 

And hear! <>! hear! 
.No loimi'i' wildly lerrilile and drear, 
Hut as it niei'iy pulses tiinrd iheii 
bealiii;^, 
Tli(! frolic s(!a-\vav(!H near, 



102 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



Daiiriiig along like happy maidons To Krishna once his three handniaicUnis 



playing 
When hlithe love goes " a-Maying," 
And wrealcing on the shore their pant- 
ing blisses 
In coy impulsive kisses; 
Whilst he — poor dullard — cannot catch 

nor hold them. 
Nor in his massive, earthen arms en- 
fold them, 
The laughing virgin waves, so archly, 
swiftly lleeting! 
This subtle atmosphere, 
So magically clear, 
jNIelts, as it were upon my eager lip; 
From some invfsible goblet of delight 

Idly I sip and sip 
A Avine so warm and golden 
(From some enchanted bin the wine 
was stolen), 
A wine so sweet and rare, 
INIethinks a nobler birth 
Illuminates the earth. 
And in my heart I hear a fairy singing; 
Yet well I know 'tis but my soul renewed, 

Eeborn and bright, 
From grief and grief's malignant soli- 
tude! 
Yet well 1 know, Joy is the Ganymede, 
Who in my yearning need. 
Turns to a cordial rich the balmy air; 
And 'tis hut Hope's, divinest Hope's 

return. 
Which makes my inmost spirit throb 
and burn. 
And Hope's triumi)haut song. 
So sweet and strong. 
That all creation seems with that Aveird 
music ringing ! 



KlUSIIXA AX/> HIS THREE HAXD- 
MAIDEXS. 

And where he sat beneath the mystic 

stars, 
Kigh the twin founts of Innnortality, 
That feed fair channels of the Stream 

of Trance, — 



came. 
Asking a boon : '' O king ! O lord ! " they 

said. 
"Test thou thy servants' wisdom; long 

in dreams. 
Born of the waters of thy Stream of 

Trance. 
Have we. thy fond handmaidens wan- 
dered free. 
And lapped in airiest wreaths of fantasy; 
Now woidd we, viewless, bearing each 

some gift 
From thee, oiu' father, seek the world of 

man. 
The world of man and pain, which 

whoso leaves 
Better or brighter, foi- thy gift bestowed 
Most worthily, shall claim thy just re- 
ward. 
The Crown of Wisdom!'' Krishna 

heard, and gave 
To each ono tiny drop of diamond dew, 
Drawn from the founts that feed the 

Stream of Trance, 
Wherewith. i>n wattage of miraculous 

winds. 
Biealhiiig fidl south, they sought the 

world of man. 
The woi-ld of man and pain, that shrank 

in drought. 
Balsied and withered, like an old man's 

face 
Death-smitten. 

And the first handmaiden saw 

A monarch's fountain, sparkling in the 
waste. 

Glowing and fresh, though all the land 
was sii'k. 

Gasping for rain, and famished thou- 
sands died: 

''() brave." she said, "O heaiUiful 
bright waves! 

Like calls to like;" and so her dmvdrop 
glanced. 
I And glittered downward as a fairy star 

Loosed from a tress of Cassiopeia's hair, 

Down to the glorious fountain of the king. 



UM)i:U THE I'lNK. 



103 



Over tlio passionless hosoin of the 


Of happy ethe; . echoing fair and far, 


sea. 


Itanti' the charmed music of the uii;htin- 


'I'lic liiiliaii Si'a, ccrtiit'aii. crvslal-clcar. 


gale. 


Ami caliii. the' seooiid hainliiiaid, liovcr- 




iiifl. viewed — 


Aud so, where crowned l)eneath the 


Far tltrunuii the laniiled sea-weed and 


mystic stars. 


cool t ides 


Nigh th(! twin founts of immortality, 


Pulsiui;- 'tw ixt coral liranclies — the wide 


Krishna, the father, saw what ruth was 


lips 


hers. 


Of puriilin!^' shells that yearned to clasp 


And. sniiliiii,% to his wise handmaiilen's 


a jiearl : 


rule 


,So where the oyster, l)liudly reaicd. 


Gave tlie great storm-clouds aud the 


awaits 


mists of heaven. 


Its priceless soul — she lets the dewdrop 


Till at her voice the mighty vapors 


fall, 


rolled 


Thenceforth to grow a jewel fit for 


Up from the mountain-gorges, and tlie 


courts. 


seas. 


.\_nd shine on swanlikij necks of haughty 


And cloudlaiid darkened, and the grate- 


(|UeellsI 


ful rain. 




Duidened witii benedictions, lushed anil 


15iU Krishna's third handmaiden scai-ce 


foamed 


had felt 


Down the hot channels, and the foliaged 


The fume from parched ]>lains that made 


hills. 


the air 


And the frayed lips and languid limbs 


As one vast caldron of invisible lire. 


of flowers: 


Than casting downward pitiful eyes, she 


And all the woodlands lauglied, and 


saw , 


earth was glad! 


Crouched in tlu^ brazen cei'c; of that red 

lw.it 


^ 


Ilea I , 
A tiny bird — a i)oor, weak, sutfei-iug 


UNDEn THE PT.XE. 


thing 




(Its bright eyes glazed, its lindjs con- 


TO THE MEMoItV OF UKNRV TirMCOU. 


vulsed and prone), — 


The same majestic pine is lifted high 


Dying of thirst in torture: "Ah, kind 


Against the twilight sky. 


Lord 


The same low, melancholy nnisic grieves 


Krishna," his handmaid murnuu'ed. 


Amid the topmost leaves, 


" sjjeed thy gift, 


As when I watched, and inuseil. and 


JJest yieliled here, to sooth(% pei'chance 


dreamed witli him. 


to save 


Bciu'ath these shadows dim. 


Tile lowliest mortal creatiuv ctirsed with 




pain ! "' 


O Tree! hast thou no memory at thy 


Gently she siiook the dewdrop from her 


core 


palm 


Of one who comes no uiore ? 


Into the silent throat that thirst had 


No yearning memory of those scenes 


sealed, 


that were 


Soon silent, sealed no more, — for, lo! 


So richly cahu and fail-. 


the bird 


When the last rays of sunset, sliimmer- 


Fluttered, arose, was strengthened, and 


ing down. 


through calms 


Flashed like a royal ci-owu ? 



104 



LA'ilAWVS AiXI) AJ7.7CVS. 



And ln\ willi liiiml oiilslrclcluMl iiiul 


Hut speaks of him, and seems ti> brinj:; 


cycN ;ilil;i/.i'. 


once nuifc 


Ijcn>k('tl Idilli Willi Inii'iiiiig Jill/A', 


Tiie joy. the love of yore: 


And stH'UKil lo (liiulx \\\v simsot like 


Ihil mosi when lirealhcd from out the 


siroiin w iiu'. 


simsel-land 


Or. hiislicd in iniiu'c di\ iiu\ 


'l"he siuiscl airs are hlaud. 


ll:iilc(l Ihc lii'si sliy and 1 inunons i:;l;,l^.^> 


That l>low hetween the twilight and the 


I'nvni far 


niuhl. 


Of ('\ ('nine's \ iri;in star '.' 


l'",rc \ci the stars ari" hiii;hl ; 


O 'rrcfl aL;aiu>l lli\ iniulil\ linnk lie 


l''oi' iIh'II ihal (|uiel eve ('omes hack lo 


laid 


me. 


His \\t'ar\ lu'a 1 ; lli\ shade 


AVhen. dcepl>. Ihrilliu-ly. 


SU>K' o'l'i- liini like Ihc lirsl <'ooi spell of 


He spake of lofl\ hopes which xauipiish 


sl,v,.: 


Dcalh: 


ll hron^ht a peace ■•<" deep 


And on his mortal luealli 


The nntpiiel |>assiou died from oul his 


A lauj;ua,u'(> of inu\iortal meanings huim'. 


eyes. 


That tired his heart and tou^ut'. 


As lii^lilnini;- from siilK'd skies. 






For then unearthly bree/.es stir and 


And in tlial calm he loved lo resi, anil 


siiih. 


hear 


Murnmriuu, " Look up I "lis 1 : 


The sofi w ind-an_m'.ls, clear 


Thy friend is near iheel All. thou 


And s\vei>t, an\ong' l\\c uppei'most 


canst not seel " 


lir!Uieli(>s sijihinu: 


And lliron<rh the sacitnl tree 


A'oieos ho heard reply inii 


Passes what seems a wild and sentient 


(Or so lie dn>ameil) far np the mxsiie 


thrill — 


heiiiht. 


Passes, and all is still! — 


And pinions rusilin,^' liuhl. 






Still as ilie urave which holds his tran- 


(."•Trcel have noi his poel-loncli, his 


(piil form. 


dreams 


Unshed after many a storm. — 


So full of hea\ eul_\ uleams. 


Still as the calm that crowns his marble 


AVronuhl ihionuh the folded dullness of 


brow. 


Ihy bark. 


No pain can w riiiklc now. — 


And all Ihy nature dark 


Still as tlu" peact — pal bet ic i>eaec of 


Stinvtl to slow throhl)inj;s. and the tlul- 


CoA — 


toriuji lire 


That wraps ihe holy sod. 


0( faint, unknown tlesiiv ? 






AVhere every llower from our dead uiin- 


At least to nu" there sweeps no niii'irod 


strel's dust 


riuj;- 


Should bloom, a type of triisi. — 


That gii'ds the forest-kinu 


That faith which waxed lo wiiu;s of 


No imuiemoriiil stain, or a\\ ful rent 


heaxcuward niii;ht 


(The mark of tempest spent ). 


To bear his soul from ni^hl. — 


No ilelieaie leaf, no lithe honuli, vine- 


That faith, ilear Christ I whereby we 


o'ergrown. 


pray to meet 


No distant, tliekerim;' cone. 


llis spirit at «;o.l's feet 1 



/.V 7 7/ A' Ml ST. 
A /)/:/. IM ()/ III/: sol I// II / \ /)S. 



lOi) 



( ) KliKsil. Iiow t'rcsli ;ili(l l;ii|- 
'riiroiiuli tlif cryxliil 'jiiU's <>( ;iir, 
Tlic I'iiiry Smilli Wind ll(i:ilrili on Iht 
sllhl Ic wiriLCS ol' li;iliii 1 
\iii| I he -rccii nirl h hijijii'd in hliss, 
To I lie ni;i;,'ic oi' iici' iiiss 
Seems ycmnini; n|>\v;iril ruinllv llir<)Mi;li 
I lie eoMrncrcstcd c'dni I 

l''i(ini I 111' disliinl 'rropir si i;ind. 

WImmv ihr iMllnws, hri.^lil ;n.d l,l;u:d, , , ,J;n„T f.-.r n|.u;,rd I., Il„. d;n 

'•" '■'■'■"I":'- '■'"■''"" '■■" '"• I'^'l'"^ I lilirs.'inv,.,.; ;,lr|, <.n,.r;,llrriM-niV 

w illi swcci, tiiini nndnl inir ' ' 

I'VoiM i(s fields of piirplin- lloucis 

Mill wcl willi tVii;;riiiil, showers, 

The h;i]i|)y SonI h Wind liiii^erinn sweeps 

I he royal hlnonis of June. 



I'or hehold! iis s|.iiil Hi. 'Ill, 
And ils I'iiiry murninr dici h, 
\nd Ihe silenee dosing; rouml nie is a 
ilnll and sonlless eahn I 



/.V 77//; .l//,s'V. 
.Mnlji'; I'earl'nl ^rows Ihe hilKide way, 

'I'lie i;looni no sotlenin'j, hree/.e halll 
kissed! 



All hea\ c'niy fancies rise 

< Ml I hi' |ierriiine of her sii';hs, 
Wliieli sleep Ihe inniosi, spiril, i n a ian- 
U'nor rare and line, 

And a peai'e nior(! pure. I.liaii sleep's 

I 'nio dim, half-eonseions (Icejjs, 
Transpoiis nie, hdled and dream in;;-, on i IJiil- donhl v\ ilh pics'-ienl ler.-or hlends. 



I'Vom (Mil, I he misi I 

Ah, heaven! lo lliiiil; voiilh's morning 
prime. 
All Hushed will, r,,se and anielhysl,, 

Ils lelldiT l(i\cs, ils hopes Sllhlime, 

ShoiiM shrink lo Ihis dull I wili,'j,lil,-l.ime 
or eold and inisi ! 

■No li'ainpiil e\i'ii,ir_; lioiir descends, 

When peace \\ii|i memory holds her 
lr\sl. 



ils I wili^hl, lides<li vine. 

'I'liose dreanisl ah nii'! Ihe splendor, 
So niyslieal and lemlei-, 
Wlierewilh like sofi heal liehlnin^s 



And e-rief her i rnfnl curfew sends 

Aloni; I he misI ! 

Weird shapes and wild, slalk slran^cjy 



I hey j,'iril Mieir nieaniiii^ loinid. And say, w hal hodeful voices hissed 

And I hose waters, cailint^s <'ailin,i?, i Where yonder hiasled pine liiniks lie'.' 

Willi a nameless cliarni eiil hrallinit, ' Whal niyslic phantoms slnidderini;- lly 
I, ike tile Mhos! of miisie meliini;- on a h'ardown themisl'.' 

rainhow spi-ay of sound I 

'I'onch, touch ine not, nor wakcr nie, 
Lest, ^n'osser llioui,dils o'erlake nie, 



Dark omi'iis all I they hid me slay, 
rnshealhe ri'sohc, pause, sli'iNc, re 
sisi 



From earth reeediii'^ faintly with lier | Thai poisonous charm which haunts my 

way: 
Alas! Mie lieii.l, more hold than lliey. 
M ill rules I he niisi ! 



dreary din and Jars, — 
W hal viewli'ss arms caress me? 
\\ hat. wliispered voices itiess me, 
\\ iili welcomes droiipiii'.; dew like from 

the weird and wondrous stars '.' ■^"'' ""^^ ''""i -""'^ "'' Inrhnleni -loom 



Alas! dim, dim, and dimniei 
< the preternalnrai i;liiii 
trance Ihe Sonlh Win< 
nie on her siihtle wind's of halm. Within llie mist ! 



\ torrcnfs threatening Ihunder: — 
lisl! 



(irows the prelernalnra.! i^limmer Tliat ra\eiiin- ri»ar! that hnn-ry Loom! 

Of that trance Ihe S<.nlh Win<l hioiiuhi Down, down I ].ass to nieei my doom 



lOG 



LEGENDS AND LmiCS. 



.1 SIMM 11! M(>()/>. 

"Now, by luy t'.-iilli m ^riu'siuiu' iukoiI, fur 
siuimiu'v 1 " — TiioM AS lli:\ w Auu ^l.'l;•T\ 

Aw. 1110 1 for ('\ iTiiiort', tor i'\ criiiorc 
'riioso liimiaii hearts i>t' ours iiinst 
_\ iMi'ii and si^li, 
>\'liil<' (low II till' (li'lls and up the luur- 
inurous sluTi' 
Nature renews her imuiorlaUty. 

The heavens oi .1 line st reteh eahii aiul 
bland aho\e, 
.hine roses hhish wllli I'liits (if (>neiit 

r>ut we. 1>\ i;raves of joy, desire, and 
love! 
Mourn in a world wliieli breathes of 
Paradisel 

The sunshine inoeks the tears it may 
not dry. 
The liree/.es — irieksy ei>uriers of tlie 
air — 
("hild-roislorers win^-ed, ami liuhllx tlnl- 
teriiiji' by — 
lUow thoir liuy tniniiH'ls in the faee 
of eaiv; 

And boldor winds. Ih(> deep sky's pas- 
sioiiat(> speeeh. 
Woven into rliytlimie raptures of de- 
sir*'. 
Or fuii'uos o( luystie vietory. sadly roaeli 
Ouv hunihled souls, to laek. not raise 
them hiu:lierl 

The tield-binls seem to twit us as they 
pass 
^^'itll their small blisses, piped so elear 
and loud; 
Theerieket triumphs o'orus in thegrass. 
And the lark, glancing boaniliko np 
the eloiul, 

ISinii"s us to seorn w ith his keen rhapso- 
dies; 
Small things and great nneonseious 
tjunuings bring 



To edge our cares, whilst we. the proud 
and wise. 
l'".ii\y the inseet"s jo\ , the birdliug's 
w ingi 

And thus for (>vermore. till time shall 
eease, 
Man's sonl and Nature's — eaeh a se|>- 
arale sphere — 
Ke\ol\e. liie oiu' in diseord. one in 
p.'aee. 
And who shall make the solenui n\\s- 



MiDMonr. 

The ^loon, a ghost of her sweet self. 

And wading through a watery eloud. 

Whii'h wraiisher Insireliki' a shroud. 
Creeps up the gray, funereal sk\ . 
'Wearily I how wearily I 

The ^Vind. with low. bewildered wail 
A lioineless spirit, sadly lost. 
Sweeps shuddering o'er the ]>altid 
frost . 
And faints afar, with heart-siek sigh. 
Drearily I how drearily ! 

And now a deathly stillness falls 
On earth and heaven, save when the 

-hril!. 
Malignant owl o'er heath ami hill 
Smiles the wan sileuee with a ery. 
Kerilv I how eerilv I 



77//; now) /;/.■(» II v n.txn. 

On. drearily, how drearily, the sombre 
eve eomes ilow ul 
And wearily, how wearily, the seaward 
breezes blow ! 
Hut i>laee your little hand in mine — so 
dainty, yet so brow n I 
For household toil hath worn away its 
rosv-tinted snow ; 




■ IIh- ,\|.m,ii, ;i n\,i,r\ ..) lir] ;-. u < . 1 .-ill, . 

C'reepH up tin- tirny, fimc^rciil sky, 
Wearily ! how woarily." 



SONNJ'J'I'S. 



107 



IJnt I fold it, \vif(!, tho nearer, 
Au'\ I I'li'l. my l<)V(!, 'tiHtlearer 
'|'li;iii nil ticiir I liiii.i^s of carlli, 
An I \\aii|i i|]c i)cnsiv(! gloiiiiiiiii;, 
Ami mv uilil llioiii^lils cease ivom 
roam inn. 
And l)li-dlikc liirl llicii' iiiiiioiis close l>c- 

sidc our |M':iccrul licari h : 
Tlieii I'esl your Ml I lc liainl ill mine, w li ilc 

I w ilinlil ^liimiiH-rs (low ii, — 
'I'lial lilllc liaicl. I hal IriAciil liaiid. Ilial 

liaiid of lioiiiiy lil'<i\\ II, — 
'i'iic liaiiij llial holil^ all lioiicsl. Iicarl, 
ami rules a liappy lirarl li. 

Oil, iMcirily, liow ineriily. our childien's 
voices fisci! 
Ami cheerily, liow ciii'ei'ijy, their tiny 
footsteps fail! 
IJiil. hand, yon nnisl, not slii' awhile, foi- 
lliei'e our ni'stlin'4 lies, 
Snii.ix in the cradle al yoni' side, Lin; 
loveliesl, tar of all; 
y\nil slur looksso arch and airy, 
So softly ])in'(r a fairy, — 
She scarci- seems hound lo eailli; 
And her dimpled nioiitli k(;e[)S 

sniilinLf, 
As at some child fay's l)e,l,qlilinf,^ 
\\'\\<t tlies from Ariel realms to lljjlit liei' 

slumhers OP the hearth. 
Ila, lilllc hand, yon yearn lo mo\'e, and 

smo(jlh the hrii;hl, loi'ks d(nvn ! 
Hut. Iittl(! hand, — hut, trembliii;^ hand, 

— but, hand of boiniy hi'own. 
Stay, stay with inel — slic will not lice, 
our hirdlin^ on tin; lieailli. 

Oh, IlittiiiLjly, how flittin^^ly, tin- parlor 
shadows thrill, 
As wittintjly. half witlini,dy. they seem 
to pulse and passi 
And solemn sounds are on the wind that 
sucejjs th(! haunted hill. 
And mnrnMU'sof a ghostly breath from 
on! the f;;ravey;ird i^rass. 
I^et me feel your j,dowinf^ fingers 
In a clasp that warms and lingci's 
With the full, fond love of eailli, 



'I'ill the joy of lov(!'s comidetene.ss 
111 I his lliish oj' (ii'eside sweetness. 
Shall liiim our lica,rls with sjiiril-winc, 

oiil poured hcidc I he licarlh. 
So steal \(inr lil I lc hand in mine, wliih; 

I w ili.nlil jailers (low ii, — 
'I'lnd lilllc hand. Ihal lersdit hand, llial, 

hand of li(»nny brown, — 
The hand which points the ])aMi to 

heaven, yet makes a heaven of 

earth. 



,S0;V.VA;7',S'. 

I'liK (;()TTA(;io ON riii; iiii.i,. 

().\ a, sleep hillside, lo all ail's that blow,. 
Open, and open lo the vai'yini; sky, 
<)ur cottag(^ homestead, smiliiiL;; tran- 

(piilly, 
r'atches morn's earliest and eve's latest 

-low; 
llci'c, far from worldly strife, and 

pomjious show. 
The peacid'ul seasons j,did(! serenely by, 
l'"iillil their missions, and as calmly die, 
As waves on (jiiict shores when winds 

arc low. 
Fields, lonely ]ia,llis, the one small ulini- 

mcriiiL: rill 
Thai twinkles like a. vv(j(Kl-fay's mirth 

fill eye, 
Undei' moisi bay-leaves, clouds fantas- 
tical 
That float and chani,'e at the lii^lit 

b)-ec/,e"s will. — 
To me. IhiiH lapped in sylvan luxury, 
An- more I ban dcalh of kiiu;s, or 

empire^' fall. 

.NOVKMtiKI!. 

WriiiiN ihe deep-hhie eyes of flcaveua 
ha/,(; 

Of saddened passion dims their tender 
li'Jit, 

For thai her fair (|ucen-cliil(l, the Sum- 
mer briubl. 



108 LEOKIvJJti AMJ V.i7.7cVs. 



l,i("s a wan roisc aiiiiilst her iiumlclcriiiij' 


.Vnd near ni,'. wlu'ic llic wild "qtitvu 


bays ; 


Caiiics" ■■ burn. 


'I'lu' siilli'u Aiiliinui lil'i> iu> \oii'i' ol' 


'riic llirusirs bridal passion, warm and 


I'laiM' 


soli : 


To licralil \\ iulcr's .■oKl aiiil cnicl 




mi;;lil. 1 




liiil winds I'ori'luxlin^ lill llic ilcsolaU' 


I'OKl's. 


ni^hl. 


SoMK ihnndci'on ihc lu'ii;hls i>f sonu'. 


Ami (lie al ilawnini; down wild wood- 


llicir rare 


ianil w a\ •> : 


(Joilliko in powiT. wliilc olhcrs at thi'ir 


'I'hc so\('ri'iun snn al noonda\ sniilolli 


t'.'.'t 


coKI. 


Ai'i' bi'calbinu' measures scarce less 


As ihron;^li a shronil lie lialli no power 


slronu and sweel 


lo pa 11. 


Thau iho^e which peal I'rom oiil ihal 


Willi.' hu.Ml.'d llo.'ks rronoli lisiK'ss 


loftiest place; 


round llii'ir I'old ; 


>leanlime. jiisi midway on the mount. 


Tlu" nuH'k-biid's dnnib. no nioro with 


his lace 


I'luHM't'ul dan 


F.iirei' than Apiil heavens, when storms 


I'psoars llu> lark tliron^h morning's 


ret real. 


iinivt-riuti' ji'olii. 


.\nd on tln>ii' ed;;vs rain and sunshine 


And dnnih or iload, niciliinks, moal 


meet. 


Natmv's hoari I 


Pipes the sol'l lyiisl la\s ct' Icndei- 




irraee; 


SYrVAN ^NirSlXCS. — IN M vv. 


But where the slopes til' briulit rarnassiis 
sweep 


(\>lAiiiii in coo\ shadow, uirl by 


Near to tln> common ui'onnd, a \arions 


billowy swells 


ihi'iMn;' 


Oi t'olia^v. ripplinj; into bnds and 


(lianl low lier meastu'i^s, — yel eaclitimo- 


llowcrs. 
11. 1 » . ..i- 1 1... 1 


I'lil sirain 



Here I repose o'ert'anned by bn-e/y (The siUery minor ol' earth's perl'eet 

how (>rs, — sonu* 

lailled by a delieat(> stream whose lUendswilh that nnisic of the topmost 

nmsii' woUs steep. 

Temler and low through those luxuriant (.>"or w hose vast realm the master miu- 

dells, I sln-ls reiiiul 
AVlierefrom a siu;;le broad-leaved ehesl- 

nnt towers;- - 

.. .„ • -.11 111 1 soNNirr. 
Mill musniiT in the loiiji'. hish. laimnid ; 

li(>nrs, — r>i:iioi.i>I how weirdly, wonderfully 

.\s in a dream 1 heard lln> linklimi urand 

hells Tlie shades and colors of yon sunsot sky! 

Of tar-otV kine, glimpsed ihron^h the Kare islos of liuht in crimsoii oceans lio, 

vertlnrous sluvti. Whose airy waves st't-m ripplinj;-. bright 

rdent witlifaii\t blealittgs frotn the dis- and hlaud, 

lant eroft. — I'p (he soft sloi>es of many a mystic 

The bee-throngs innrmnrons in the strand. — 

•;(>ldcn fern, 



The wood-tloves \ciled by depths of ♦ -(^Hioon fah-y," tho nnmo givon popularly 

llii'kering green, — to au oxnuisitc semUcni wild tlewcr. 



tiONN/'J'/'H. 



109 



AVIiilr liimiiious caiics, iiinl iiininilaiiis 

liiwcriiiL; lii^li 
In golden pomp ;iii'l proud rcf,Mlily, 
O'rrlook llic rroiiiiif ol lli;il, fairy laml, 
IJiil, now, in Irunsroiinalions swill ami 

.slran.H"' 
The vision changes! Casllcs v;lili<'iiiig 

I'alr, 



And .sapphir'<' hallliMiu'nls of lol'liest, 

raniii' 
('oniniin'4li' willi \ast, spiic, ami ;^orgi'ons 

donir, 
l.'ouiid wlijrli llicsinisel ^oi]sil^ piii'pliiig 

i'oain, 
(;ii-diii'4 this Iraiisicnt Venice of iJio 

ail'. 




" L'i)V<-ik;il jji \i)ii(|cr dim cUirrcal . • .1, 
Its airy towci-H tin; work of pliiuilom Hpclls, 
A viewless belfry toUw its wizard Ixdls." 



TIIK PIIAXTOM ItKLT.S. 

Ul'V'KH.Ki) in yonder dim elliercal sea. 
Its airy lowers liie work of iiliaiil(im 

spells, 
A viewless belfry tolls its wizard brlis, 
Pealed o'er this populous earth prrpri- 

nally. 
Some hear, some h(!ar tlieni not ; Init, 

aye Ihey Ik; 



Laden Willi one stran,i;i' note l.lia.t, sink9 
or swells, 

Now dntad as doom, now gentle as fare- 
wells. 

Time's dirge boi'iie e\'ei- towai'd etei-nily. 

Kaeh boin- its measured lireath sobs out 
and dies 

While Ihe b..|l tolls it-; 1-equiem,— 
'• I'llssiiHJ, y(r/.s7." — 

The sole sad burden of liiejr long refi'ain. 



no 



/./■:<ij:m)s jmj jaj:jc;s.. 



SI ill, with those hours each |):tii<;-. each 

pleasure llies, 
lii-iel' sweet, luief liitler, — all our days 

are \aiii, 
Kuolleil iulo drear lor-el fulness at last. 

ruK i,iKi:-i(>i!i;sr. 

In sju'iuuliuie ol' our \oiUh, life's pur- 

plinji' shade. 
Koliau'e and fruit, do liauu so thickly 

riMuid, 
We seem i^lad leuauts of euehauted 

ground. 
O'er whiih for aye dreaui-w hisperiuu 

w iuds lia\ e played. 
'I'heu siuuuier comes, her fuU-hlowu 

charm is laid 
Ou all Ihe forest aisles; from houud to 

iiouud 
l'"!oats wmxllaud music, and the silvery 

sound 
(^( fountains bahhliui;- to the uolden 

-lade. 
Next, a chill breath, the breath of An- 

lunm's doom 
Strips ilu' tair syhau branches. t)ue by 

one, 
'Till the bari> landscape broadens to our 

\ ie'\ ; 
IVhind, black tree holes bk>t Ihe l-wiliuht 

blue, 
liefore, nnfoliaiiiHl, bald o\' liuht. and 

bloom, 
(>m' palhway darkens towartls the daik- 

eniug sun! 

('I.(n'I> I'AXTASIKS. 

Wii.i>, rapid, dark, like dreau\s of threat- 

cniuii doom. 
Low cloud-racks send bt>foi'e the le\el 

w ind : 
jienealh them, ihe bare n\oorlauds, 

blaidc and blind, 
Str.Mch, nunnaifnl, throuuh pal<> leuiilhs 

of j;limmerin!i- iiliuun; 
Afar, liiand mimic of the sea waves' 

boom. 



Hollow, yet sw(>ot as if a 'I'itau pined 
O'er dcalhless woes, yon mighty wood, 

eousiLilled 
To anliunn's bli-hi, iuMiioans its 

lierished bloom; 
The dim air creeps with a vaune shud- 

deriuu- thrill 
How n from those monstrous mists (he 

sea-uale lirings. 
Half forndess, iidaud, piiisoninu earth 

and sky; 
.Most from >(in iilack cloud, shaped lik(- 

vampire win^s 
O'er a lost angel's visage, deathly-still, 
rplifted toward souu> dread eteruit\. 

SONXET. 

I i-K.\i{theo not.OBoath! nay. oft 1 pine 
To clasp thy passionless bosom to mine 

o\\ n. 
And on th\ heart sob ont my latest 

moan, 
{•'.re lapped and lost in thy strange sleep 

di\ iue ; 
[>ut nun h I fear lest that chill breath of 

thine 
Should free/.e alt tendt'r memories into 

stone. — 
l.est ruthless and malign Oblivii)n 
(.|)uench the last spark that lingers on 

loNc's shrine: 
OtJodI to moidder through dark, date- 
less yer.rs. 
The while ail loving nunisiries shall 

I'case. 
And time assuage the fondest nu>urner's 

toni-s : 
Hero lies the sting! — this, this it is todiel 
And yet great nature rounds all strife 

with peace. 
And life or death, each rests in mystery! 

so NXKT. 

Of all the woodland Mowers of earlier 

sin'ing, 
The.se golden jasmines, er.eh an air-huug 

bower. 



FlliK-VWTUREH. 



in 



Mfcl for (lie (,)iiccii of Fnirics' tiriiii;- 

hiiiir. 
>crlii luvclirsl ;illil liiosi Kiir in l)l().ss()Ill- 

i 1 1 l; : 
llow vdiidcr iii()cl<-l)ii-,| I Ill-ills Ills tcr- 

\iil winn 
And 1(111^. iJMic tliroiil, wliciv Iwinkliiii;- 

llowor oil How cr 
li'iiiiis Ijic Mi(jl)(.(l (Icwdrops (ioui), a dlii- 

luoiid sliowcr, 
O'lThis brown licad poised as in act, lo 

siiin'; 
l.o! 111. ■swill snnsjiiiir lloodslh.. Iloucry 

nrns, 
<;ir(linir tlicirdclicalc -,,1,1 wjlli malcli- 
Icss li.i,dil, 

■'''" ""■''•'•I'l life of hon-li. leaf, blossom, 
liinns; 

I'll''!!. I lii'ii oui lim-sls the niock-liird clear 

aiiil loud. 
Ilall-dniiik Willi i.erfiniK', veiled by ra 

diaiiee bri-lii, 
A slar oj imisie in a lieiv eloiid! 



i'ii!i:-i>i(rri!i:s. 
<)! Till-: rolling, iiisliin- lire! 

o: llle lire! 

Jlow- il ra-es, wilder. In-lier, 
Like a hoi lii'arl's lierce desire, 
'I'lirilled with passion that, :ipi)a]ls lis. 
Half apiialls, and yet enthralls us, 
0\ the madly mountini;- (iro! 

Up it sweepeth.— wave and .piiver, — 
K'oaiin- like an aiii^ry river, — 

o: the lire! 
Whieh an .■artluiuakc backward tunietli, 
JJjii'kwani o'er its riven courscfs, 
J'.iickward to its mountain soiu-ces. 
AVhile tli(! blood-red sunset burnetii, 
I.ike a (iod's face .i^raiid with ire. 
O! the bursting, billowy (ire! 

Xow I be sombre sinoke-eloiids thicken 
'I'o ;i dim I'hitonian night; — 

<)! till- lire! 
ilow its dickering glories sicken, 



(Sicken at tlie blight! 
J'iiles the llame, and sinvads the vapor, 
'i'ill scarc(' larg(M- than a tai)ei'. 
Flares the waning, struggling light; 
()! Ihou wan, faint-hearted (ire, 

Sadly darkling. 

Weakly sparkling, 
Uise! assert thy might! 

Asjjire! asiiiri'! 

At the word, a vivid light iiing, 

'riireatening, swaying, darling, bright- 
ening, 

W'iiere Hie loftiest yule-log towers, — 
Hursts once more. 

Sudden bursts tlu; awakened (ire; 
Hear it ro:u! 

Ko.ir, and mount high, high, and higher, 
'I'iil beneath. 

Only here and there a, wreath 

Of the passing smoke-cloud lowers, — 
Jla! the glad, victorious (ire! 

O! the (ire! 

Jlow it changes, 

<'hanges, ranges 
Thi'ough all phases faiicy-wrought. 
Changes like a wizard thought; 
Se(! Vesiivian lavas rushing 
'Twixt the rocks! the ground asuiuhsr 
Sliivers at tli.' earllH|iiake's thunder; 
And the glare of [jell is flushing 
Startled hill-to)). quaking town; 
Temples, statues, lowers go down. 
While beyond that lava, (lood. 
Dark-red like blood. 
I behold the ebildieii (leeling 
Clasped by many a frenzied hand; 
M'hat a (light, and what a meeting, 
On the ruined sli'and ! 



O! the (ire! 
Kddying liigher. higher, higher 
From Ihe vast volcanic cones; 
O! the agony, tht! groans 
Of those thousands stifling there! 
" Fancy," say you '' but liow near 
Seem tli(! anguish and tlus fear! 
Swelling, turbuleiil, pitiless tin;: 



LEGL'yDS jyn i.ynics. 



*Tis a mad northeastern breeze 
Uavins o'er the luairio seas; 
How. like livinii' things, the grasses 
Tivnible as the storni-hreath passes, 
Ere the thunes' devoiu'ing magie 
Coils about their golileu siilendor. 

And the teiuler 
(Jiory of the mellowing tields 
To the wild ilestroyer yields; 
l)reailtnl waste t\>r tloweriiig blooms, 
Desolate darkness, like the tomb's, 
(.>ver whieh there broods the while. 
Instead of daylight's baj^py smile, 
A pall malign and tragiel 

Marvellons tire I 

Changing, ranging 
'riirongh all phases faney-wronght. 
Changing like a charmed thonght; 
A stir, a murmur deep. 
Like airs that rustle over jungle-reeds. 
Where the gaunt tiger breathes but half 

asleep; 

A bodeful stir, — 
And then the vietim of his own inire 

deeds, 

I mark the nughty tire 
Clasps in its i-ruel palms a martyr-saint, 

Christ's faithful worshipper; 
Ihie mortal ery atVronts the pitying day. 
One ghastly arm ii]>lifts itself to lieav- 

eu — 
When the swart smoke is riven, — 
Ere the last sob of anguish ilies away, 
'The worn liml>s droop and faint. 
And o'er those reverend hairs, silvery 

and hoary, 
Settles the somblanee of a erown of 

glory. 

Tireless tire! 

Changing, ranging 
riuvngh all phases faney-wronght. 
Changing like a Tnitean thought; 
Here's a glowing, warm interior, 
A Dnteh tavern, rieh and rosy 
With deep eolor. — sill and floor 
Uaz/liug as the w lute seashore, 
Wliere within his armchair cozy 



Sits a toper, stout and yellow, 
blinking o'er his steamy bowl; 

Hugely drinking. 

Slyly winking. 
As the pot-house Hebe passes. 
AVith a clink and clang of glasses; 
Ha! 'tis plain, the stout old fellow — 
As liis wont is — waxes mellow. 
Kodding 'twixt each dreamy leer. 
Swaying in his elbow chair. 
Next to one. — a portly peasant. — 
Pipe in hand, whose swelling cheek, 
.lolly, rnbicutul. ami sleek, 
PntYs above the blazing coal; 
While his heavy, half-shut, eyes 
Watch the smoke-wreaths evum'scent. 
Eddying lightly as they rise. 
Eddying lightly and aloof 
Toward the great, black, oaken loof I 

I>reaunug still, from oin the tire 
Faces grinning and grotesque. 
Flash an eery glance upon me; 
(.^r, once more, methiuks 1 sun me 
On the breadtlis oi happy plain 
Sloping towards the southern main. 
Where the imnost soul of shadow- 
Wins a golden lieat. 
And the hill-side and the meadow 
(Where the vines and clover meet. 
Twining ronnil the virgins' feet. 
While the natural arabesque 
Of the foliage grouiH>d above them 
Droops, as if the leaves did love them. 
Over l>rvnv. and lips, and eyes) 
Gleam with hints of Paradise! 

Ah! the tire! 

Gently glowing. 

Fairly tlowing. 
Pike a rividet rippling deep 
Through the meailow-lauds of sleep, 
Ponlered w here its music swells, 
l>y the languid lotos-bells. 
And the twilight asphodels; 
Mingled w ith a richipr boon 
Of queen-lilies, each a nioon. 
Orbed into white completeness; 
O! the perfume! the rare sweetness 



FlllK-PlCTlUlES. 



113 



< )f those grouped and fairy flowers, 


And the mammoth, moonlike shields, 


Over which tlie love-lorn hours 


Blazoned on their lurid fields. 


Linger, — not alone for them, 


With uncouth, malignant forms. 


Thouj^h the lotos swings its stem 


Glowei-ing, wild. 


With a lulling stir of leaves, — 


Like the huge cloud-masses piled 


Tliough the lady-lily waves. 


Up a Heaven of storms! 


And a silvery undertuno 




From some mystie wind-song grieves 


Ah, the faint and flickering fire! 


Dainty sweet amid the bells 


Ah, the fire! 


Of the twilight asphodels; 


Like a young man's transient ire, 


lUit because a charm more rare 


Like an old man's last desire. 


(ilorilies the mellow air. 


Lo! it falters, dies! 


In the gleam of lifted eyes, 


Still, through weary, half-closed lashes. 


In the tranquil ecstasies 


Still I see. 


Of two lovers, leaf-embowered, 


But brokenly, but mistily. 


Lingering there, 


Fall and rise. 


Each of whose fair lives hath flowered, 


Rise and fall. 


Like the lily-petals finely. 


Ghosts of shifting fantasy; 


Like the asphodel divinely. 


Now the embers, smouldered all, 




Sink to ruin ; sadder dreams 


Titan ai'ches! 


Follow on their vanished gleams; 


Titan spires ! 


Wailingly the spirits call, 


Pillars whose vast capitals 


Spirits on the night-winds solenm. 


Tower toward Cycloi)ean lialls. 


Wraiths of happy Hopes that left me; 


And whose unknown bases iiierce 


(Cruel! why did ye depart ? ) 


Down the nether universe; 


Hopes that sleep, their youthful riot 


<'ountless coruscations glimmer, 


Merged in an awiul quiet. 


(ilow and darken, wane and shiimner. 


With the heavy grief-moulds pressed 


'Twixt majestic standards, swooping, — 


On each pallid, pulseless breast. 


Like the wings of somc^ strange bird 


In that graveyard called the iiEAisa', 


By mysterious currents stirred 


Stern and lone. 


Of great winds, — or darkly drooping. 


Needing no memorial stone. 


In a hush sublime as death. 


And no blazoned column : 


When the conflict's cpiivering breath 


Let them rest I 


Sobs its gory life away. 


Let them rest! 


At the close of fateful marches, 


Yes, "t is useless to remember 


On an empire's natal day: 


May-morn in the jnirk December; 


C'ount'.ess coruscations glimmer. 


Still, Hopes! because ye were 


(ilow and darken, A\ane and shimmer. 


Beautiful, and strong, and fair. 


Ivound the shafts, and round the walls. 


Nobly brave, and sweetly bright, 


Whence an ebon splendor falls 


Who shall dare 


On the scar-seamed, angel bands, — 


Scorn me, if through moistened lashes. 


( Desolate liands! ) 


Musing by my hearthstone blighted, 


Orasping in their ghostly hands 


Weary, desolate, benighted, — 


Weapons of an anti(iu(! rage, 


I, because those sweet Hopes left me, 


From some lost, celestial age, 


I, because my fate bereft me, 


When the serried throngs were hurled 


Mourn my dead. 


IJlastedto the under world: 


Mourn, — and shed 


.Shattered spear-heads, broken brands, 


Hot tears in the ashes ? 



lU 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



AN ANSI ) -R US All Y. 

O Love, it is our weiUling day! 

This mom, — liow swift the seasons 
liee! — 
A virgin morn of cloudless May, 

You gave your loyal hand to me, 
Your dainty hand, clasped sweet and siu'e 
As Love's sweet self, for evermore! 

Love, it is our wt'dding-day. 

And memory Hies from now to then; 

1 mark the soft heat-lightning play 

Of blushes o'er your cheek again. 
And shy hut fond foreshadowings rise 
Of tran(iuil joy in tender eyes. 

O Love, it is our wedding-day; 

The very rustling of your dress, 
The trembling of yoiu' arm that lay 

On mine, with timorous happiness. 
Your lluttered breath and faint foot- 
fall,— 
Ah, sweet, 1 hear, 1 st'e them all! 

O Love, it is our wedding-day. 
And backward Time's strange current 
rolls. 

Till life's and love's auspicious ^lay 
Once more is blooming in our souls. 

Anil larklike, swell the songs of hope, 

Yom- blissfid bridal horoscope. 

O Love, it is our wedding-day, — 

Yet say, did those fair hopes but sing. 
Lapped in the tuneful morn of ]\[ay. 
To die or droop on faltering wing. 
When nooiUide heats and evening 

chills 
Made pale the llowers and veiled the 
hills •.' 

O Love, it is our wediling-day. 
And none of those glad hopes of 
youth. 

Thrilled to its height, outpoiu'ed a lay 
To match our future's simple truth: 

Though deep the joy of vow and shrine, 

Our wcHlde.l calm is more divine! 



OLove, it is our wedding-day! 

Life's summer, with slow-waning 
beam. 
Tints the near autumn's cloud-lautl gray 

To softness of a fairy dream, 
Whence peace by nmsing pathos kissed, 
Smiles through a veil of golden mist. 

O Love, it is our wedding-day; 

The conscious winds are wluspering 
low 
Those passionate secrets of the Miy 

Fraught with your kisses long ago; 
Warm memories of our years remote 
Are treml>liug in the mock-bird's throat. 

O Love, it is our wedding-day, — 

And not a thrush in woodland bowers. 

And not a rividet's silvery lay, 

Xor tiny bee-song 'mid the flowers, 

Nor any voice of land or sea. 

But ileepens love to ecstasy ! 

Our wcddiug-day! The soul's noontide! 

In these rare words at watchful rest 
What sweet, melodious meanings hide 

Like birds witlun one balmy nest. 
Each quivering Mith an impulse strong 
To flood all heaven and earth with song! 



h-ROM THE irOODS. 

Why should I. with a mournful, mor- 
bid spleen. 
Lament that here, in this half-desert 
scene. 
IMy lot is placed ? 
At least the poet-winds are boUl and 

loud, — 
At least the sunset glorities the cloud. 
.Vnd forests okl and proud 
Rustle their verdurous banners o'er the 
waste. 

Perchance 'tis best that I, whose Fate's 
eclipse 

Seems final, — I, whose sluggish life- 
wave slips 
Languid away, — 



1)0 LCh: I' All NlKiM'K. 



115 



Slioiild licri', williiii llicsi' low ly walks, I Sliiiics on iiiKinciii'licd ! () (Icallilcss 

love I hal lies 
III I lie cliMr 111 ill nielli ol' I hose passioii- 

alc r\cs: 
• Iny w.ilii'l li 1 |''n|| inn' Hies! 
Wlial I lien'.' 'I'lioii slill ;iil here, soul of 
my soul, my Wile! 



apai'l 
l''|-om llie liere<' I hrolil(iiiL;s ol' (lie pop- 
ulous marl , 
< 'niiiiiimii' u ll li mi III' iiw II lieiirl , 
While \\ isloiii hlooms Irom hiirieil 

llope-s ilee:i\. 

Xaliire, Ihoiinh wiM her lorms, sus- 
tains me si ill ; 

The roiiiits are miisieal, — I he haiTeii 
liill 
( ilow s w it li sl rail'j,e li;4iits; 

Thidimh solemn piiu^-^rovcs the small 

liMllets Heel 

Sparkliii!,;. as if ;i, Naiail's silvery I'ecl, 
ill qiiiek anil coy retreat. 
Oliinceil throiiLih the stai-uleaiiis on calm 
simimer niuhls; 

Anil the i^real sky, I he royiil he;i\eii 

ai)o\ e, 
Darkens willi storms or melts with 

hues of love; 
While far remote, 
.ll|s| where the slllllivlll, smites the 

w (toils wit h lire. 
Wakens the mull it iiiliiioiis syhaii 

choir; 

'i'lieir illlioeelit love's desire 
l'(JUrcd ill a rill of soiii;' lioiii each liar- 
monioiis I lii'oal. 

My walls are erimililiii'^, hiil immortal 

looks 
Smile on me here from faces of rare 
hooks ; 
Sliakspcarc consoles 
.My licarf with true pliilosoplilcs; a 

halm 
Of spiritual dews from hiimhler song 
or psalm 
i-'ills me wit h tender calm. 
Or Ilirougli Inislicd liciivcns of soul Mil- 
ton's deep thunder rolls! 



i><»i.( i: r.\i: \ / /■: .\ r /■: . 

Lkt ihe vwu'M roll hlinilly on! 
(;i\e me shadow, gi\'i' me siiii, 
A ml a perfumed eve as this is; 
Lei. me Me, 

Dreamfully, 
When the last (piiek siiiiheams slii\-er 
Spears of li.nlit alhwarl the ri\er, 
And a, hreeze, which seems the sigli 
( )f a fairy lloaliiig hy, 

( 'oyly kisses 
'render leaf and feathered i;rasses; 
^'l•t so soil ils hrciiilhing passes, 
These lall leins, just gliinineringo'er nie, 
lUelldillL; '^oldeiily hefore me, 

I ianlly (pii\er! 

I liaAc done with wnrldly scheniing, 
.Moekinu; show and hollow seeliiini;! 

i.et me lie 

Idly here. 

Lapped ill liilliiiL;' wa\es of air, 
i'aciiiL; full the shadowy sk\. 
I""a,nie! — the \ery sound is dreary, — 
Shut .() soul ! t hi lie eyelids Weary, 
l'"or all nat lire's '.oiees say, 

■• "i'is the closi t he close of day, 

Thought and gri el lia\ e had I heir sway ;" 
Now Sleep hares her haliiiy hreast, — 

Whispering low 
(Low as inoon-sel tides that Ilow 
T]) still heaches far away; 
While, from out the lucid West, 
Fliifelike winds of muriiiiirous breath 



Sink to tcnder-iianting deatli), 
And more than all. o'er shattered ••( )n my hosom lake t hy rest; 



wrecks of l-'ali 



(( 'are ami i^rief ha\ e had their day 



The relics of a happier lime and stale, i "lis the hour for dnamiii 



My nohler lih; 



l^'rauraiil rest, elysian iheaming!' 



116 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



{AMIiYSKH AM) Till: MACIiOlll.tX 
JSOIf. 

Om'. iiioni, liard by a sluiiilu'roiis strcain- 

lofs Avavc, 
'i'lir iilano-troos stirlrs,; in tlio unbrcatli- 

iiii;- caliii. 
And all tlu> lusli-rt'd roses driH)ptHl in 

dream, 
l,av Kiiii; ('an\li\>es. idle as a elond 
'I'IkU wails the w iud, — aindess of tlion,i;iil 

and w ill, — 
Hul with \a,nue e\ il. like llie liiihlninu's 

l.olt 
Kro yet the eleetfie death be t\)f,i;ed to 

snute. 
Soothinij,- at lieaft. His court iefs ringed 

him round. 
Whereof was one who to his eoiufades' 

ears. 
With baled brealh and wonder-ai-idied 

blows, 
Kxtolled a eertaiu Uaelrian's maleldess 

skill 
Displayed in bo'werat't: at wliose niaf- 

vellons leals. 
Eaiierly \aiinted, the Kiim's son! gfew 

liol 
AVith en\ \ , for himself erew Idle had been 
Hated the nni;litiest areher in his realm. 
!Slowly he ro>e. and poiiuiii;^- southward, 

said. 
" SoosI thou, l're\asi>es. yonder sl'>nder 

Vahn. 
A mere wan shadow, (|ui\ erin;j; in the 

li.uhi. 
Topped by a ghastly leaf-erown '.' Pri- 

tlu>e, now. 
("an lids, thy famous l.aetrian, standinix 

here, 
("leave with his shaft a hand's bivadth 

niaikeil tb.ereon ".' "' 
To wldeh Prexaspos answei'ed. " Xay. 

my lord ; 
I spake of feats compassed by inoi'tal 

skill. 
Not of 2;ods' prowess. ■■ I'nlo whom. 

the Kinu: — 
" And if luysolf . Troxaspos, iiuulo 05?ay. 



Think'sl tlion. wise counsellor. I too 
should fair.'"" 

'• Needs must 1. siri',"" — albeit the court- 
ier's \(iice 

Trendihnl. and some dark iirescience 
bade him pause. — 

" NetHls must 1 hold such cimnini; more 
than man's; 

And for the rest, 1 pray lh\ pardon, 
Kiiii;-, 

r>ut yester-e\('. amid tlH> feast and dance. 

Thou tarried'st with (he beakers uver- 
lon-." 

'l'h(> ihick. w ild. treacherous t'yebrows of 

the Kin-. 
That looked a slielleiini;- ambush for ill 

Ihon-hts 
Waxiin;' to manhood o\' maliiiuant acts. 
'I'hese treacherous t'yobrows. iicnl-house 

fashion, closed 
O'er the black orbits of his tiery eyes. — 
Which, clouded thus, but Hashed a dead- 
lier L;li'am 
On all before him: suddenly as tire. 
Half choked and .suioulderim; in its own 

dense smoke, 
r.nrsis into roariny; radiance and swift 

llann'. 
Touched by keen breaths of liberating 

w ind. — 
►So now t'ambyses' eyes a stormy joy 
Stonnily tilled; for on Trexaspos' son. 
His tirst-liorn son. they linu-cred. — a fair 

boy 
{'Midmost his fellow -i>a,ues llushed with 

sport ). 
Who. in his otliee of King's cupbearer. 
So iinu'ii>us and so sweet were all his 

ways. 
Had even the captious sovereign seemed 

to pleast>; 
While for the court, the reckless, revel- 
ling court. 
They kwed him one and all: 
•• (io." said Cambyses now. his voice a 

hiss. 
roisonons and low. "go. bind my dainty 

inigc 



('AM/l)S/:s AM) TIIK j\l AC IK) III AN lloW. 



117 



To voiiiliT ii;ilin-ticc; itiiid liiiii fast and | Draw, traiicod and rigid, towards somc^ 



suri'. 
So thai IK) liiii^cr stirrcth ; which hciiii;- 

done. 
Fetch nil'. I'rcxaspes, tlic Macrohian 

how."' 

Thns (jrdcrcd, llius accomplished, fast 

I liey l)ouild 
'I'lie innn-iiil cliild, the while lliat niani- 

iiiolh how, 
lirouulit hy tiie spies from Klhiopian 

camps. 
La\ in (lie Kinj^'shand; slowly, sternly 

up, 
lie roarfid it to the level of his sight, 
IJeared, and bent haeic its oaken niassive- 

ncss 
Till the vast muscles, tough as grape- 
vines, bulged 
i'rom naked ai'in and shoulder, and the 

horns 
< If the fierce weapon groaning, almost 

met. 
When, with one lowering glance askance; 

at him. — 
His douhling sati-ap. — the King coolly 

said. 
" Prexas])(>s. look, my aim is at the 

heart!" 

Then came the sliiirp twang and the 

deadly whin' 
Of the Icjosed arrow, followed hy the dull, 
1 )reai' echo of a holt that smites its mark ; 
And those of keen(>st vision shook to 

see 
The fair child fallen forward across his 

honds. 
With all his limbs a-(|uivcring. (^uoth 

the King, 
Clapping I'rexaspes' shoulder, as in glee, 
"Go thou, and tell me how that shaft 

hath sped I ■■ 
Forward the wretched father, step hy 

St(!]), 

<'rept, as one creeps whom black Iladenn 

dreams. 
A'isions of fate and fe.ir unutterahle. 



deliiiite goal 
Of horror: thus Ik; went, and thus Ik; 

saw 
What, nevei' in the noontide! or the night, 
Awake or sleeping, idle or in toil, 
'Neath the; wild forest or tlu! perfinned 

lamps 
Of ]ialaces. shall leaxe his stricken sight 
rniilasted. or his spirit piu'gxid of woe. 

I'rexaspes saw. yet lived; saw, and le- 

lurned 
Whei'e still environed by his dissolute 

court, 
C'andjyses leaned, half scornful, on his 

bow: 
The old man's face was I'iven and while 

as death ; 
Ihit, making meek obeisance to his King, 
He smiled (ah, such a smile!) and feebly 

said. 
" What dm I, mighty master, what am /, 
That I dui'st (|uestion my lord's strength 

and skill '.' 
His allows are like arrows of the god. 
I']gyptian Ilorus, — and for proof, — but 

now, 
1 felt a child's heart (once a child was 

'ni.'nic, 
"Tis my Lord's now and Death's), all 

mute and still, 
Pierced by his shaft, and cloven, ye 

gods! in twain !" 

Then laughed the great King loudly, till 
his beard 

(Quivered, and all his stalwart body- 
shook 

With merriment: hut when his mirth 
was calmed, 

'•Thou art forgiven," said he, "forgiv- 
en, old man; 

Only when next these Persian dogs shall 
call 

Camhvses drunkard, rise. Prexaspes, 
rise! 

.\nd tell them how . and to what purpose, 
once. 



118 



LEGENDS AND LYJilCS. 



i'tucc. on ;i iiioi'ii wliicli rolliiwcil hot ami 

wail 
A iiiglit ol' iiioiisl rolls revel and dc- 

l.aiicli. 
(.'aiiil>ys('s hciu this hii^c Macrobiau 

bow." 



/; ) /■///■ ir ir M.\ si:.t. 

F Alt; as I lie dawn of the I'aircst day. 
Nad as ;hi' c'\ cuiiiii's tender ^ray, 
r.y the latest hislc.' of sunset kissed, 
'That \\a\ersaiid wanes t hioni;li an am- 

her mist. 
There eoineth a dri'am of the pas( lo nie. 
On tlii' desert stands, l)y tlie aiilumn sea. 

All heaxfii is wrapped in a nixstie veil. 
Ami the fae<' of the oeeaii is dim and 

pal.>. 
And there rises a wind from the ehill 

northwest. 
Thiilseemeth the wail of a soul's unrest . 
As the twilii^ht falls, and the vapors 

II. e 
l''ar o\t-\- the wastes of the antnmii sea. 

.V single ship thronuh the ^loamiiii;- 

ulid.'s 
I'phorne on the swell of the seaward 

tid.'s; 
And above ihi' uleam of her topmost 

spar 
Are tlu' viruin eyes of the vesper-star 
That shine with an aujivl's ruth on mo, 
.V hopeless waif, by the autimui soa. 

The wiiiiis of the i^hostly beaeh-birds 

^leam 
'I'lirouiih the shimmering' sni'f, and the 

enrlew "s sen'am 
Falls faintly shrill from the darkeninu' 

hei-hi: 
The lirsi weird si^li on the lips of Ni^ht 
r.reathes low thronuli the sedue and the 

blasted tree. 
With a miirmnr of doom, liv the antinnn 



(Ml. sk\-ensliadowed and yearnim; main, 
\'oiir ulooiii but deepens this /iihiiku 

pain; 
'l'liost> waves seem bii;' with a nameless 

eare. 
That sky is a type of the liearl's despair, 
.Vs I liuiier and muse by tlie sombre lea, 
.Vnd the iiiLi'ht shades elose on the au- 

tiiiiin sea. 



■I'll/: inn: o/' iinrrrixr. 

[Suoovstea l.y the Y'raiil^eleiiie-s 'l-alo of 
Ct.au.Ti-.l 

i'i;c>i:\i. 

'I'lJf'rii wed to beaniy in an antitpie 

tale, 
Sweet-\ diced like some immorlal iiiL;lit- 

iiiuale. 
Trills the clear burden of her passsionate 

lay. 
As fresii, as fair as wenderfiil to-day 
.\s wluMi tlie music of her l>almy tonune 
lavished the llrst warm hearts fi>r w lunu 

slu> sun;;'. 

Thus, when I hi' early spriuu-dawn buds 

are ^reeii, 
(ilisteninu' beneath the sudden silvery 

slu'eii 
Of i;lauciuL; showers; while heaxen with 

brideji'rooni-kiss 
Wakens tiie virgin earth to bloom and 

bliss. 
Fnamored brealhinu' and sid't raiilures 

born 
About the roseate footsteps of the morn, 
.Vn old-world sou^'. whoso breezy nuisie 

liours 
Through limpid channels "twixt on- 
chanted shores. 
Steals on uu' wooiuuly from that far 

t iiiie 
When tunefnl Chaueer wrought his 

lusty rhyuio 
Into rare shapes aud fancies and delii;'hl. 
For .May winds blithely blow, and haw- 

tlu>rn llowors were briulit. 











V _^>-~. _^'!11JU11!U|I,||PJ, ;, , , I'll ir! J- -■,^#;^._--V-<i^«^r^j:"^^^ — - 



i7->:N 






■■'I'li'-i' MM-lli :i .|i.:ini of tlio pjist to lllP, 

Mil (111- ilooil sands liy llii' iiuluiiiii sea." 



Tlir: WIFE OF /iUr/'TAXV 



119 



() bnivc olil poel! i^enlus frank and lint horn to such rare state and sover- 



Ix.l.i: 



c'i,;;i::y. 



Suslaiii inc. chcrisli and aroiiiid iiic He hardly (hirst Ixd'orc her liciid Ihc 

lull I knee 

Thine own lial<', sun-warm aliuosiilu'i\' 1 lu passion's ai'dor and keen licart dis- 

of souij, I I less; 



Lest I, who touch thy niunhcrs. do tiicc 

M'l'on^: 
Speed the (k'cp measure, mal<<' I he niean- 

im;- slune 
I\U(kly and hij;li witli heaUhi'ul spirit 

wine. 
Till to attempered sense; and iiuiekeniui^ 

ears 
My strain some faint hai'inonious echo 

hears 
From that rieli realm wherein thy cor- 
dial art 
Throbbed with its ]iulse of (ii-e 'gainst 

youthful Kngland's heart. 

THE STOKY. 

"\Viii:i;e the hoarse billows of the north- 
kind Sea 

Sweep the rude coast of rockbouiid Brit- 
tany, 

Dwelt, ages since, a knight whose war- 
rior-fame 

.Might well have struck all cari)et-kniglits 
with shame ; 

Vowed to great deeds and princely nian- 
liood, he 

Burgeoned the topmost-llower of chiv- 
alry; 

Yet gentle-hearted, nursed one delicate 
thought 

Fixed firm in love: with anxious pain lie 
sought 

To serve his lady in the nol)lest wise. 

And many a labor, many a grand em- 
prise 

lie wrought ere that sweet lady could be 
won. 

She was a maiden bright-aired as the 
sun. 

And graceful as the tall lake-lilies are 

Flushed 'twixttlie twilight and the ves- 
per-star ; 



Still, at the last, liis loyal worthiness 
And mild obeisance, his (>l)servanc(! 

high 
Of jnanly faith, firm will, and constancy 
Aroused an answering pity to his 

sighs. 
Till pity, grown to love, l)eamed forth 

from genial eycis. 

Thus with })ure liMist, and cheerful calm 

accord, 
She made this gentle suitor her soul's 

lord; 
And he, that- thence their hajjpy fates 

should sti'a.y 
Through pastures l)eauteoiis as the fields 

of May, 
Swore of his own fn^e mind to use the 

right 
Her mercy gave him, with luj churlish 

might. 
Nor e'er in wanton freaks of mastery. 
Ire-bred perverseness, or sharp ji'al- 

ousy. 
Vex the elcar-llowing ctUTent of her 

days. 
Slie thanked him in a hundred winning 

ways : 
"And I," she saul, "will lie thy loyal 

wife; 
Take here my vows, my solemn troth 

for life. " 

On a .June morning, when the verdui'ous 

woods 
Flushed to the core of dew-lit solituiles. 
Murmured almost as w'th a human 

feeling, 
Tenderly, low. to frolic I)reezes stealing 
Through dayipleil sliades and depths of 

dainty fern. 
Crushed here and there by s(;me low- 
whimpering burn. 



120 



LEOESDti AXD J.yiUC^. 



These twain ^\('l•e wi'iMed at a forest 

shrine. 
O salt'rou-vested Hymen the tUvlnel 
Did aught of giooni or hodhig shadow 

wcigli 
Tpon lh> lihishiug t'onseiousness that 

da\ •.' 
No I tliy fi'aiiiv face breathed only hope 

and hi\i'; 
Earth hingiied in waxc and leaf, all 

heaxcn was fair ahoxc. 

Ilonu> to tlie land wliei-ein the knight 
was born 

niilhely they rode npon the niorrow- 
niorn, 

Js'ot far from I'enmark; there they lived 
in ease 

And solace of matured felicities. 

Until .Vrviragus whose soul of fire 

Not even fruition of his love's desire 

Could till with languorous idlesse, cut 
the tie. 

^^'hiell bound to silki'U dalliance sud- 
denly. 

Sailing the straits for Kngland's war- 
torn strand. 

There ampler bays to i>hu'k from \ ic- 
tory's " red right hand. " 

But Tolcne, fond lolene. w hose lieart 

Can heat no longer, lonely and apart 

From him she loves, save with a sicken- 
ing stress 

Of fear o'erwrought and broinling tt'u- 
derness. 

Mourns for his ahsenc(> with soul-weary- 
ing plaint. 

Slow, pitiful tears and nndnight nnu- 
murings faint. 

And thus the whole world sadly sets at 
naught. 

Meanwhile lier friends, who guess what 
canker-thought 

Preys on her quiet, with a nuld essay 

Strive to subdue her passion's torturing 
sway : 

"Beware! beware, sweet lady, thou wilt 
slay 



Thy reason I nay thy very life's at stake! 
By love, and love's dear pleadings, for 

his sal;e 
\Vho yearns to clasp thee seatldess to 

his breast, 
AVe pray thee, .soothe these anaddening 

cares to rest !" 

EvtMi as the patient graver on a stone. 
Laboring w ith tireless lingers, sees anon 
The shape end>odying his rare fancies 

grow 
And lighten, thus upon her stubborn woe 
Their tireless comforts wrought, until a 

trust. 
Clear-eyei! and constant, raised her 

from the dust 
And ashy shroud of sorrow: her despair 
(iave place to twilight gladness and soft 

cheer 
Conlirmed ere long by letters from her 

love: 
•• Dear lolene! "" he wrote. " thou tender 

dove 
That trendilest in thy chilly nest at 

home. 
Prithee end)race meek patience till 1 

eome. 
Lo, the swift winds blow freshening o'er 

the sea. 
From out the sunset isles I speed to rest 

with thee!'' 

The knight's ancestral lunne stood grim 
and tall 

Beyond its shadowy moat and frowning 
wall: 

It topped a gradual snnnnit crowned 
i with tir. 

Green ninrnuirous myrtle, and wild 
junii>er. 

Pronting a long. lude. solitary strand, 

Whereon the earliest sunbeam, like a 
han<l 

Of trenudous benediction, rested bland, 

And warmly (|iu\ering; o'er the wave- 
worn lea 

Gleamed the broad spaces of the open 
sea. 



THE WIFE OF BRITTANY. 



121 



llcr I'i'iciuls i>('i'('('i\ini;' that tliis scusiilc 

wiilk. 
Though gay and jovial tlicii- unstiulicd 

talk, 
l>ut dashed her duhious sjiiiits, khidly 

took 
And led lier wlicre the hlossoni-hordered 

hrook 
J5ai)hled through woodlands, and the 

iinipid pool 
Lay eronehed like sonic shy Naiad in 

the cool 
Of mossy glades; or when a tedious 

hour 
Pressed on her with its dim, Iclhargie 

l)0\ver, 
They wooed her with glad ganuis or 

j(K'und song, 
Till the dull demon ceased to do her 

wrong. 

So, on a pleasant INIay morn, while the 
dew 

Sparkled on tiny hedgerow-flowers of 
blue, 

Passing through many a snu-brown orch- 
ard-field. 

'J'hey reach a fairy pleasaunce, which 
revealed 

Such prospects into breezy inland 
vales. 

The natural haunt of plaining nightin- 
gales. 

Such verdant, grassy plots, through 
which th(!re I'olled 

A gleeful I'ivulet glimpsing sands of 
gold. 

And winding slow by clumi)s of plumed 
liin(>s, 

K'ich realms of bay, and gorgeous jas- 
nune-vines. 

That none who strayed to that fair 
(lowery place 

]la(l paused in wonder if its sylvan 
grace, 
Heard as in dreadful trance its billowy I End)odicd, beauteous, with an arch eiu- 



Now often, wiili iii'r pitying friends 

beside. 
She walked the desolate lieacli and 

wateheil the tide. 
Forth looking through unconscious tears 

to \ iew 
Sail after sail jiass shimmering o'er the 

blue; 
And to herself, ofttimes, "Alas!" said 

she, 
" Is there no ship, of all these ships I see. 
Will bring me home my lord ? Woe, woe 

is mel 
Though winds lilow fi-esli, and sea-liirds 

skim I he main. 
Thou still delay'sl. my liege! X\\, vllL 

thou come again ".' " 

Sometimes would she, half-dreaming, sit 

and think, 
Casting her dark eyes downward from 

the brink ; 
And when she saw those grisly rocks 

beneath, 
Kound Avhich the pallid foam, in many 

a wreath 
AVhite as the lips of passion, faintly 

eui'led. 
Her thoughts would pierce to the drear 

under-world, 
'^lid shipwrecks wandering, and 

lileai'hed hones of thos(_! 
O'er whom the unresting ocean ebbs and 

Hows; 
And though the shining waters hushed 

and deep, 
Might slumber like an innocent child 

asleep, 
Fi'om out the North her prescient fancy 

raised 
Huge ghistlike clouds, and spectral 

lightnings blazed 
r th' van of phantom thunder, and th(> 

roar 
Of multitudinous waters on the shore. 



swells 
Blent with the mournful tone of far 
funereal bells ! 



5)rac(i 
Had stopi)ed, and smiling, kissed them 
face to face. 



A IniovMiil, t>lilli('st>m(> foini>:iny wcri" 

" llu'v. 
(irouiH'il roiiiul lilt" i>l(';is;iinu'i' oi\ lliat 

nil"! 11 ol' M;iy ; 
\\i(. MMiu, ami liiniliii'; l;uii;hlt'r, ami 

arrh lo.-ks 
Thai niiulil have liirt-i! llic w ooil-jioils 

i'loiu llu'ir nooks. 
Ki'lioiul ami llaslu'il liUi" ila/zliiii;.' arrows 

lipi-.^l 
Willi amorous luMi ; ami now aiul ilion 

( luTo slipiH'il 
l''roiu oiil I ho wliiiiiii^ i-iui; of Joi'iuul 

uirls, 
W roalliiiiu w liilo arn;s ami lossiim w an- 
ion curls. 
Soiiio inaiilon \vlu>\\ ilh inomonlarv mion 
Ol'foy iloinui'i'in'ss bout o'or lolono. 
Ami w hisporoil sunniosi nothi\i;;s in lior 



I'Mrst 'mid ilio bravo gallants assoniblin^ 

(horo 
Aurolian oamo, a smiiro of fair doiiroo. 
'rail. \ i^orons, bamlsoino, his w holo ail' 

so froo. 
Vol ooinloous, and su.'li prinooly swoot- 

uoss blonl 
Willi o\or\ woll liinod. maoofnl ooiiqili- 

nioiu . 
Thai sooih lo spoak. whoro'or Aurolian 

v\onl. 
'i'o tuibnloui lili-yanl and baronial hall, 
Sportiui;- iitioUU)i- at liisiii fostivaU 
Fax or. likt> sunsbino. tillod bis boart and 

oyos. 

Thus nobly i^iftod. biuii-born, opiilont. 

w isi>. 
Duo hiddon oniso was bis: for iroublous 

yoars.* 
Soort>tly, swayod in lurn by hopos and 



* Wo !H0 to sunposo thtU Aiirolinu had soon 
lolono provious to hor iiunrii>j«o, mxi that oi>^ 
ounistnnoos haU pivvoiitod his hoooininji inli- 
inato with hor, or in any way i>ri>sooutinjj his 
suit honostly and trtuilvlv. 



/./,'(;/ A7'N .IA7' I. Vines. 

And all iiukiiowii lo hor. bis boart's 



This yoiiib bad lo\ od w il b w ild. doliri- 

ous lilo, 
Tbo lonol\. sad. nm'onsoions loloiio. 
llo durst not show bow lo\obad brou^bt 

him loon. 
Nor (HON o bow doop bis passioiTs inward 

mi^iil : 
'rbiiikin^. half maddoiu'd. on horaliscnt 

kiiiubt ; 
Savo that tl.o biirdon of a K>\o lorn 

lay 
Would soin.'wbat of his stillod tlaino 

botray , 
Ibit in tlioso \auiio otMuplaiuinns pools 

uso, 
\\ hou obarjiiu!;' l-ov<>with i>iitra;;o and 

abuso 
Of lii-+all poioiil witcbory. " Ah," said 

bo. 
■■ 1 lo\o. lull o\or lo\ o dospomloutlN : 
I'or llioimb ouo \ isiiin haunts mo. and I 

burn 
W^ ludd that ilroau\ inoarnatod. i yearn 
In \aiii. ill \aiu; lo\ i- broathos no bland 

rotiirn I '" 

Thus only did Aiu'cliaii strivo to s1unv 
W bat pangs of hiddon passion wi>rkod 

bolow 
Tito surfaoi' oalnmoss of bis front sori^no; 
I'liloss porhaps ho mot his boautoous 

C^hiO(>ti. 
Soaro<> briubloninj;- at tbo ban»im»t or tho 

danoo: 
W'lion. wilb a pioroinu \t"t half-i>iti"ons 

-laiioo. 
His oyos would soaroh. tbon strauiioly 

shun hot' faoo. 
As vMio oiuidoinnod, who foars to suo for 

o'l-ai'o. 

l>ut on this solf-saiuo ilay. wbon liomo 

ward binuid. 
Ilor I'ootsiops souubt tbo lonoliost path 

that wound 
Tbrougb taiiulod oopsos lo tbo upland 

p'ound 



77//; wirr: of imrrTANV. 



123 



Ami orchard close;, — licr fair compan- 

i(jiiH kissed 
Willi iciirliil lliaiilis, uiiii all kiml I'rii'iids 

(lisiiiisscd, — 
Aiuvliiiii, wlio lii(! sc'jn'l pathway knew, 
'I'liroii;^!! llic d(!iis(! growl li and -liioiidcd 

i'<)lia'^(; drew 
Sr-AV liir pail- (^iiccn, llif lady ol Ids 

dicains : 
'i'lic <'Vt'iiiii;4"s soil, p;illi<li<- spliiidur 

strciims 

< >"cT lirr clrar forclnsid and Iht clicst mil, 

liiiir. 
All i;lori(i('d a;s in (•clcsliai air; 
\'>nl tin; dark eyes a wistlid li,t;id, <-(jn- 

fcssrd. 

And sonic sdfl, iniirniiiiin'^ I'ain'ics licavcd 

lici' lircasl 
l>cni.t;n!y. like cnaiiinn-d lidrs lliat, rise 
And sinlc luclodioiis lo llic wcsl, wind's 

si^dis. 

Ill- j^a/.i'd. and llii- Ioiil; passion Ik- liad 

nursed, 
Impel nous, snddcii, nni-csUaim-d, <>"ci- 

bnisl 
All hoimds of custom and enforced r<'- 

straint: 
"() lady, hear ine: I am deadly faini, 
^^•t wild wilh iovi'I such love as forces 

man 
'I'd heard conventions, trample on the 

han 

< )f partial laws, spnrii u itli contemi,! iioiis 

hate, 
\V'hat(;"cr would har oi' hlii^ht his hliss- 

fiil fate, 
,\iid in the fevei'ons fren/y of his zeal, 
l\\cn fiom the shrinkini; (lower he dotes 

on, steal 
Hhisli, fraf^rance, and heart-dew I l'"oi'- 

give! i'ori^ive! 
What! have I dared to tell tlie<- this, to 

live 
For aye hen-after in thy r-old rei^ard? 
Yet veil thy scorn; nor make moie cold 

and hard 
'i'lic an:<iiish(;il lifi- now cowering at Ihy 

feet." 



As o'er a billowy field of ripened wheat 

One sees pci-cliance lliir spectral shadows 
llieel, 

Cast hy a darkened heaven whose lower- 
ing hush 

lirooils, I liinid<-r-char'^ed, ahove its j^old- 
en (lush, — 

So, a dark svonder, a suhlime suspense, 

Of [(atherin;; wrath at this wild iiiso- 

Icnce, 

|)immi-d Hie mild '^loi-y of lutr hrow and 

lips; 
Mer heaiily, more majestic in <!(-lipse, 
SIkjiic with that awful lustre which of 

old. 
In the iiods' temples and the fanes of 

uold, 
I>la/,ei| ill the I'ylhia's face, and shook 

her tonn 
With throes of hali'fiil proph<-ey; a 

storm 
SIk! slood iiiciuiiale, in whosit ominous 

■jlooiii 
'I'liiohhed till- I'd li'/htnin^on the, verge 

of d<.om. 

IJiit, as a current of soft air. uiifcli, 

On till- lower earth, is seen ere long to 

melt 
'I'lie (IJi-piled siu'ge of t<-mi)es's slowly 

driven 
In seatt(!red vajiors Ihioii'^h the deeps of 

heaven. 
Thus a serener thought t<!nderly played 
Across her spirit; its jtortcntous shaile, 
IJig wilh imutteied wrath and iinaiiings 

dire, 
Began with slow, wan pulsings to expire; 
A far etliereal voice she s<;eme<i to 

hear 
Luting its mercifid accents in her ear, 
Siihtly harmonious: " V'ea," sIk; thought, 

" in truth, 
A rage, a maihiess holds him, the jioor 

youth 
Isdrunk with passion I Shall I, ilee])ly 

hiessed 
I5y all love's sweets, its halm and li'iistful 

lost. 



124 



LEGENDti AXJJ LYEICS. 



Crush llu' less fortunate spirit! utterly 
Blight and destroy liiui. all for lore nj' 

nic .' 
His hopes, if hopes he hath, must surely 

die: 
Still would 1 nip their blossoms tenderly, 
With a slight, aii-y frost-bite of con- 
tempt. 
God's mercy, good Sir S(|uiit\ art thou 

exempt 
Of courtesy as of reason? What weird 

si.ell 
J)oth wiirk this madness in thee and 

comjxd 
Thy nobler nature to such base de- 

si»ltes •? 
Forsooth. thouMl blush some day the 

flower of knights, 
yiiould this thy Inidding virtue wax and 

grow 
To natural consuunualion! Couu'I thy 

How 
Of weak self-rulli might shame the veri- 
est child. 
A six years' ])eevish ureliin: whimpering 

wild. 
And scattering his Xww locks, because 

afar 
He sees and yearns to clasi), but cannot 

clasp, a starl " 

She ceased, with shanu^ and ]>ity MiMgh- 

ing down 
Ih'r dovelike lids dennu'ely. and a 

f i-()\\ n 
Just struggling faimly Miih as faint a 

smile 
(For the mute trembling s(juir<' still 

knelt the while) 
lU>und llie ai'ch dimples (^f her rosy 

mouth; 
Whereon, in fitful fashion, like the 

South 
Which sweeps with petulant wing a held 

of blooms. 
Then dies a heedless death "monggx)ld- 

en brooms 
And lavish shrubbery, brietly she re- 
sumes, 



Witli c|uick-drawn l)reatli. the cotu'ses 
of hei' speech : 

"Aurelian, rise! lichohrst thou yon- 
der beach. 

And the blue waves beyond'.' those 
bristling rocks. 

O'er which the chafed sea, in (|uick thun- 
der-shocks. 

Leaps i)assionate, panting through the 
show(>ry spiay. 

rjoaring detiance to the ralm-ey(>d day ? 

All. well, fantastic boy! 1 blithely 
swt'ar 

When you rude coast beneath us rises 
' clear 

(Down to the farthest bounds t)f wild 
IJretaigne), 

Of that black rampart darkejiing sky 
and main, 

I'll pay thy vows with answering vows 
again. 

And be — (iod save the mark! — thy 
paramour."' 

Her W(U(ls struck keen and deep, even 

to the core 
Of the rash listener's soul: they seemed 

to be 
^lore fatal in their careless irony 
Than if the h'vin bolt, hurled from 

above. 
Had slain at once his manhood and his 

love. 
What mor(> he felt in sooth 'twere vain 

to tell: 
He oidy beartl licr whispering. " Fare- 

t bee-well. 
And Heaven assoil thee of all sinful .sor- 
row!" 
Then with a grace and majesty which 

borrow 
Fresh lustrous sweetness from an inward 

st ress 
And hidden motion of chaste geutle- 

uess. 
She glideth like some beauteous cloud 

ajiart : 
Aurelian >aw her pass with yearning 

l)aiigs at heart. 



THE WIFE OF BRITTANY. 



125 



Soul-epochs aro there, when crief s piti- 
less storm 

O'erwheiiiis the aiiuized spirit; when the 
warm 

Exultant heart whose hopes wei'e l)i'av(» 
and hiyh, 

Shi'inks in the darkness withering all 
its skv: 



Tlieii, like a wounded l)iid hy the I'lide 
\s ind 

riutclied and horne onwai'd, tortnred, 
re(,'kless, blind. 

Too flail to struggle with that passion- 
ate blast, 

AVe take wild, wavei'ing ooiirses, and at 
last 

Are dashed, it may be, on the rooky 
vei-ge. 




■ "Tluisr hristliiij; rocks, 
(')"cr wliicli the chafed sea, in (luick IliuiuU'r-shocks, 
Lea|)s iiassiciiiale, pautiug tludugh the showery spray." 



Or hnrled o'er the nnknown and i)erilous 

sui'ge 
Of some dark doom, when, brnised and 

tempest-tost, 
AVe sink in lui'i)ulent eddies, and aiv 

lost. 

Urged by a mood thus desp<'rate, eare- 
less what 

Thenceforth befell him, from that hate- 
ful spot. 

The scene of such stern anguish and de- 
spair, 

Aurelian rushed, he knew not, n-cked 
not. wllele. 



All night he wnndei'ed in the for<'st di'ear. 
Till on the pale jdiantasmal front of moiu 
The first thin flickering day-gU'am 

glanced foi-lorn. 
Wan as the wraith of ]ierislied hopes, 

the ghost 
Of wishe^ long sustained and fostei-ed 

most. 
Now gone for cM-rmore. '• O Chiist I 

that 1,"' 
111' muttei'<'d hoarsely, "■ might unsought 

for lie 
Here, in the (Hsmal shadows .and dank 

grass. 
And close my hea\y eyelids, an 1 : o iiass 



126 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



\\\{\\ one brief struggle from the world 

of men, 
Never to grieve or languisli, — never 

again ! 
Never to sow live seeds of expectation 
And joyous promise, to reap desolation; 
But as the seasons fly, snow-wreathed, or 

crowned 
"With odorous garlands, rest in the mute 

ground, 
Peaceful, oblivious, — a Lethean cloud 
Wrapped round my faded senses like a 

shroud, 
And all earth's turmoil and its juggling 

show 
Dead as a dream dissolved ten thousand 

years ago! " 

Long, long revolving his sad thoughts he 

stood, 
"When gleefully from out the lightening 

wood 
Came the shar}) ring of horn and echoing 

steed ; 
A score of huntsmen, scouring at full 

speed, 
Flashed like a brilliant meteor o"er the 

scene, 
In royal pomp of glimmering gold and 

green ; 
"Whereat, Mith wrathful gestures, "neath 

the dome 
Of the old wood he hastened towards his 

home, 
"Where day by day he grew more woeful- 
pale. 
Calling on Heaven unheard to ease his 

bale. 

Among his kinsfolk, many in hot haste. 
To salve an imkuown wound with balms 

misplaced. 
Came the squire's brother, Curio, — a 

wise scribe. 
Modest withal, and nobler than his tribe; 
"With heart as loving as his brain was 

wise : 
He could not see with cold, indifferent 

eyes 



Aurelian pass to madness or the grave, 

"While care and wit of man perchance 
might save; 

So, pondering o'er what seemed a des- 
perate case. 

At length there leapt into his kindling 
face 

The flush of a bright thought. " Ky 
Heaven!'' cried he, 

'• O brothei-, there may still be hope fcr 
thee; 

Therefore, take heart of grace, for what 
I tell 

Doubtless preludes a health-inspiring 
spell ; 

And thou, released from this long, sor- 
rowful blight, 

Shalt feel the stir of joy, and bless the 
morning light. 

''Ten years — ten centuries sometimes 

th(>y would seem — 
Passed idly o'er me like a mystic's 

dream; 
Ten years agoiu', ^\ hen these iluU locks 

of mine 
Flowed round broad shoulders with a 

perfiuned shine. 
And life's clear glass o'erbrinnned with 

purpling wine, 
I met in Orleans a shrewd clerk-at-law, 
One all his comrades loved, yet viewed 

with awe, 
To whom the deepest lore of antique 

ages. 
The stored secrets of old seers and 

sages 
In Greece, or Ind, or Araby, lay 

bare ; 
From out the vacant kingdoms of the 

air. 
He could at will call forth a hundred 

forms. 
Hideous or lovely; the wild wrath of 

storms ; 
The zephyr's sweetness; bird, beast, 

wave, obeyed 
The luminous signs his slender Maud 

conveyed, 



Till-: WIFE OF BIHTFANY 



127 



At whose weird touch men siek in flesh 
or brain 



Teased the hot silence with her twitter- 
in£i low: 



Uecaiiic their old, bright, liopcfiil selves | ^ly inmost soul accordant, seemed to 



aiiaiii. 
Aurelian, rise! sliake off this vile disease, 
And ride with me to Orleans; an' it 

please 
God and our Lady, we may chance to 

meet 
Mine ancient comrade, who M'ith deftest 

feat 
Of maslic skill may cut the Gordian knot 
That lonii liath bound, and darkly binds 

thy lot." 

"But," said Aurelian, with a listless 

tinni 
Of his drooped head, and wandering 

eyes that l)urn 
"With a quick feverish brilliance, "dost 

thou speak 
Of thine own knowledge, when thou 

bid' St me seek 
This rare magician ? Ilast thou looked 

on aught 
Of all the mighty marvels he hath 

wrought ? ■ ' 

*' Yea! I bethink me how, one summer's 
day, 

He led me through the city gates, away 

To the dark hollows 'neath a lonely hill: 

So hushed the noontide, and so breath- 
less-still 

The drowsy air, the voice of one far 
stream 

Came like thin whispers raurnnn'ing in 
a dream; 

The blithesome grasshopper, his sense 
half closed 

To all his verdurous luxmy, reposed 

Pendent upon the qui\ering, spearlike 
grain; 

Steeped in the mellow sunshine's noise- 
less I'ain, 

All Nature slept; alone the matron 
wren. 

From the thick coverts of her thorny 
den, 



Languid and dumb within that mystic 

place. 
At length the Wizard's- hand across my 

face 
Was waved with geiitle motion; a vague 

mist 
Flickered before me, on a sudden kissed 
To warmth antl glory by an influence 

bright; 
The strangest glamour hovered o'er my 

sight. 
Wherethrough I saw, methought, a 

palace proud. 
Crowned by a lightning-veined thunder- 
cloud, 
Whose wreaths of vapory darkness 

gleamed with eyes 
Of multitudinous shifting fantasies ; 
Its pinnacles like diamond sizars out- 
shone 
The starry splendors of an orient 

zone; 
And, leading towards its lordly entrance, 

rose 
Through slow gradations to its marbled 

close. 
White terraces where golden sunflowers 

bloomed ; 
Above a ponderous portal archway 

loomed, 
High-columned, quaint, majestical: we 

passed 
Within that palace, gorgeous, wild, and 

vast. 
Ah ! blessed saints ! what wonders weirdly 

blent 
Did smite me with a hushed astonish- 
ment! 
A troop of monsters couchant lined our 

])ath. 
Their tawny manes and eyes of fiery 

wrath 
Erect and blazing; an unearthly roar 
Of fury, shaking vaulted roof and 

floor, 



128 



LKCF.SDS AM) /^VlilCS. 



Itiirst fioiu ciu'li s;i\aut', iiiatliciilatc 

tliroal. 
In siiUi'ii (M'luiiii:;s lost llirough halls and 

coui'ls rcniolc. 

'"At tlic I'ai' end of !;liinin(M'in^' colon- 
nades 
Tlial j;l('anied jiinantic llu-ou.i;h thcdnsky 

shados, 
'Two nuuhty doors s\V('i»t backward noist^- 

Icssly: 
'I'hcrc licavcd hcyond ns a vast laborun;- 

sea ; 
Not vacant, for a stately vessel bore 
Swit't down the threatening;- (ides that 

llasiied before, 
'riudni;ed with black-bearded Titans. 

sncli as moved 
In t'ar-ol'l' limes heroic, vvcll-belovod 
«)!' tlu' old -(.(Is; tlieiv at his stalwart 

ease. 
.Shonldeiim;- his knotted chib. i;reat. Her- 
cules 
Toweled. Ins lierce eyes lonclied to dcnvy 

li-lil. 
And rapt on Uylas, who. seriMicly l)iii;ht, 
AN'illi intense ua/.e niilit'ted. tranced and 

mnte. 
Heard, in ecstatic i-everie. the Inte 
Of (trpiiens iilaininu' to tlie waves that 

liow 
And dance snbsidin^' ronnd tlie Ida/oned 

prow; 
Till the iMide winds blew meekly, and 

caress(>d 
T]i(> nnnuc golden lleeces o'er tlie crest 
Of l)ard and warrior, on their secret ([uest 
l)onnd to the i;roves of Oolchis; and tlie 

bark.' 
Konnd which had frow ned a threatcnini;- 

shaiK' and dai'k. 
Now soeuied to thrill, like some prond. 

sentient thinj;' 
That gloi'ies in the prowess of its w inu. 
Tlu' gnsty billows of that tnrhnlent sea 
Their wild crests snuxtthed, and slowly. 

pantimily. 
Sunk to the (pnet of a charniL-d calm; 
AVhat odors Hesper(''au, what rich balm 



Krcinht the fair /.ephyrs. as they shyly 

rnn 
O'er the Inlled waters dimpliui;' in llu' 

sun I 
And nun'nnn'ini;'s. hark I soft as the louu- 

diawn kiss 
I'ressed by a youni;- i^od-lovcr in his 

bUss 
On lips innnorlal. when tlie world was 

new ; 
-Vnd, lol across the pnre. pellucid 

blue. 
A baru;e, with silken sails, w luisc lieautc- 

ons crew . 
\Viu^ed fays and ('upids. curl their 

spoi t i\ (' ai'uis 
O'l'r one, more lovely in her noontide 

cliarms 
Than younuest n\mphsof I'aphos; fra- 
grant showers 
Of fi'esheniiiL;' roses, all luxuriant (lowers 
That feed on eastern dews, their fairy 

bands 
Scat(er aboiu her from whi(e liberal 

hands; 
^\'hile o'er (he surface of (he da/./.liui;' 

wa(er. 
Hark-eyed. mys(erious. many an ocean 

danuldcr 
Mashes a vanishing- l)i'ii;h(ness on her 

way. 
Half seen (hroui^li (iny (iuklin;;'s of (he 

spray : 
And nuisic its full iiear( in airy falls 
Outpours, like silvery cascades down tlie 

walls 
Of hauiUed rocks, and golden cvudniU 

rin;;-. 
And Intelikc measures on V(>lu[)(uous 

w inu' 
Kise nendv (o (he (ranci'd heavens, I'e- 

plyiui;- 
I'rom a/m'e-(in((>d deeps in a low pas- 

sionaie siuhini;'. 

"Then were all climes, all au'cs. wildly 
blended 
j 0\\ blood-red lields. w herefrom shrill 
I shouis ascended 



THE WIFE OF BIUTTANY. 



129 



Of iiakfil wiuriors, liiigc and swait of 

iiiiili. 
Mi\(Ml willi llir iii;iilcil (Ji'cciaii.s' oiiii- 

iioiis liNimi, 
Where iiiinlily banners slailike \vav<Hl 

and slionc 
'Mid cloven Wneklers grandly; and 

anon 
.Marched llie sleni Itonian |ihalan\. with 

a rini; 
And clasli of spears, and hisly Irinn- 

[telinii. 

And steeds thai neinlHMl de|i;iiicc inilo 

dc'ath. 
And all war's dreadful iionij) and hot, 

di'vourini;' breath. 
Last, on a, sudden, the uh<ile tinnnlt, 

died. 
Till- \ision disa|)i)eared ; jiale, leaden- 
eyed, 
Bewildorod, on the enchanted ll(jor V 

sank; 
^Vllen next, my wakening- spirit faintly 

drank 
Life's consciousness, within my lonely 

I'ooni 
I sat, and round ni(> drooped the dr(jary 

Iwiliuhl, gloom." 

Enough, good brother I IJy Uk- Holy 

licjod 
Tliy tale is medicinal! the black mood. 
Which lik(' a si)iritual \ultuie seized 

and tore. 
My heart-strings, ami ind)ued its beak 

in gore 
Hot from the soul, i)enealh the golden 

spell 
Of sovereign hoix-, hath sought, its native 

hell. 
Then, hoi for Orleans!"' \t the word 

he sprung 
Light to his feet; it seemed there scarcely 

hiuig 
One trace of his long madness round 

him now, 
So blithe his smile, so bright his kind- 
ling brow. 
All day they ro<le till waning afterno(ni. 



Through l»iee/,y copses, and the shad- 
owy boon 
Of mightier woods, when, as tlie latest 

glance 
Of simset, like a level burnished lance, 
Smot.e their sti'rl morions, sauntering 

near llie town. 
With thoughtful mien, rolxid in his 

scholar's go\vn. 
They met a keen-eyed man, ruddy and 

tall; 
()"('!• Ills gra\(.r vest a bea.i'<l of wavy 

fall 
Flowed like a- i-ushing streandet, ri])])ling 

down : 
" Welcome!" hecried in mellow acc(Mits 

de..p; 
" The stars have warned me. and my 

visioned sleej) 
Foretold your mission, gentles. Ciu'io, 

what! 
Thine, ancient, loving conn-ad(; i|uito 

forgot? 
Spui' thy dull memory, gossip!" 

" By St. Paul! 
The learned clerk, th(! gi'aeious Artevall, 
Or glamour's in it," shouted C'urio; 

'•yet 
Thou look'sl, as hale, as young, as lirndy 

set 
In face and fonu, as if for thee old 

Time 
Had stoiiped his (light. " A lofty glance, 

sublim(! 
,\ud swil't as lii^htuiug, from tin; Magi- 

an's eye 
Darteil some latent, meainng grave and 

high, 
lie spake not. but. the twain he, gently 

led 
Wliei'<' grassy ])alhways and fair meads 

wen; s[jread. 
Skirting the city walls, till near theni 

stood. 
Fronting the gloomy boskage of a wood, 
The wizard's lonely home, I need not 

paus(! 
To tell Ikjw magi(; and the oecidt laws 



130 



LEGENDiS AND LYRICS. 



Of sciences long de;ul that sage's 
lore 

Did in the spectral midnight how's ex- 
plore. 

Enouglu thai his strange spells a mar- , And oft his strong heart thrilled, his 



tiladly from bloodshed, contliets, and 

alarms 
Here rested in those while, eiieiiehng 

arms. 



\el wi'o light 
Beyond the utmost reach of credulous 

thought. 
At last he said, " Sir S(iuire, my task is 

o'er; 
Go when thou wilt, and view tlie Breton 

shore. 
And thon shall see a wide unwrinlded 

strand. 
Smooth as thy lovely lady's delicate 

hand. 
Washed hy a sea o'er wlfu'h the halcyon 

West 
Broods like a hapjiy heart whose dreams 

are dreams of rest. " 



I'Aur 111. 

Meanwhile Arviragus, a year before 
Returned in honor from the English 

shore. 
Led with his faithful lolene that 

life 
llai'iuoiuous, justly balanced, free from 

strife, 
\\'hieh crowns our hopes with a tnie- 

hearted wife. 

Ne'er dreamed he, as she laid her happy 

head 
(^lose to his heart, w hat cloud of shame 

and dread 
(;kn)med o'er his placid roof-tree; but 

content 
To think how nobly his late toils had 

spent 
Their force beneath Death's gory drip- 
ping brow 
Through shocks i>f battle, a fresh laurel 

bough 
Plucking therefrt)m to tlourish green 

and high 
xVbout his war-worn temples' majesty, 



eyes grew dim. 
To luiow. kind heaven! how deep her 
lo\ e for him. 

Thus mouth on month the cheerful days 

went by. 
Like carolling birds across an Ai»ril sky, 
A fairy sky \uulimmcd by I'louds or 

showers. 
But on a morning, whil(> her favorite 

flowers 
loleue tended, in the garden-walks 
Pausing to idip dead leaves and prop the 

stalks 
Of drooping plants, herself more swecl 

and fair 
Than ain tlower, the brightest thai 

IiIusIhhI th(-rc. 
Her lord stole gently on her una\\are; 
His haughty grace all softened, he bowed 

(low 11 
To kiss the stray curls of her locks of 

brown, 
Thick sown with threails of tangled, 

glimmering gold: 
"At need," he said, "'thou canst be 

calm and bold ; 
Therefore, thou wilt not yield to foolish 

woe 
If duty parts us brietly. AVife, 1 gt) 
To scourge some banded rntlians who of 

iatc 
Assailed our peaceful serfs, and our es- 
tate— 
Thou knowest it \\v\\ — northwest of 

renmark town, 
Kavished with sword and lire. Thy 

lord's renown. 
Yea, and thv lord, were soon the scoff of 

all, " 
If in his own fair ticf such crimes befall 
X'nscourged of justice; so, dear love, 

adieu! 
Nor fear the end of that 1 have to do." 



TEE WIFE OF BRITTANY. 



vn 



Thus ^piikc the kiiiiiht, who forthwith 

raiseil a shoul. 
And bade them brinj; his stalwart v\ar- 

horse out; 
Wlien, on the sudden, a steed, tall, jet- 
black, 
I,<'tl by a groom caiui' wliinnyiiii; down 

the track, 
'Twixt the green myrtle hedges; at a 

bound 
lie vauUeil in the selle; smilingly round 
He turned to wave "farewell" with 

mailed hand, 
And then rode blithely down the sunlit 

land. 

That evening, at the close of vesper 

prayer. 
Wandering along through the still twi- 
light air, 
loleue, somewhat sail and siek in iniiiil, 
Met in her homewai'd pathway, low-re- 
clined 
Heneath the blasted branches of an oak, 
Auielian, her wild lover of old days: 
She start(!d backward in a wan amaze. 
But he, uprising calmly, bowed and 

spoke ; 
*'Ha! thou recall'st me, lady? I had 

deemed 
These bittcir years which have so scarred 

and seamed 
^^^late'er of grace I owned in youthful 

prime. 
Had razed me from thy raemoiy. See a 

rime 
Like that of age hath touched my locks 

to white; 
Yet never once, — so help me heaven ! — 

l)y night 
< )r day, in storm or brightness, hath my 

soul 
Veered but a point from thee, its starry 

goal. 
A mighty puri)ose doth itself fulfil, 
Wise men have said. Lady! I love thee 

still. 
And Love woi-ks marv(.'ls. Prithee come 

witli me. 



Ay, quickly come, and then thyself shall 

se(! 
I am no falsehood-n;o:;,'73r. Yea, come, 

come I '' 
His woi'ds. his sudde!i passion, smote licr 

(ilUllll, 

And from her cluieks, those delicate gar- 
dens, wane 

The rare twin roses, as when aiiliimn 
I'ain, 

Fatally sharp, sweeps o'er some doomed 
domain 

Of mati'on blooms, and their rich colors 
tad(! 

Like rainljows slowly dying, shade l)y 
shade. 

Unto wan spectres of the flowers that 
were. 

With languid head and thoughts of pre- 
scient fear, 

Passively following where Aurelian 
guides, 

She hears anon tln^ surge and rush of 
tides 

On the seashore, and feels the freshen- 
ing spray 

Bedew her l)row. "Lady, look forth, 
and say 

If, to a love unquenched, un(]uenchabl('. 

Eternal Xature yields not; its strong 
spell 

TIath toiled for me, till the rocks rooted 
under 

Those heaving waters have been rent 
asunder. 

And the wide spaces of the ocean plain. 

Down to the farthest bounds of wild 
Bretaigne, 

Kise calmly glorious in the day-god"s 
beam. 

Look, look thy fill! it is no vaiushing 
dream: 

Lo.' noiv I claim thy promise !''' 

A keen gleam 
Shot its victorious radiance o'er his 

brow. 
But she, bewildered, tremulous, shrink- 
ing low, 



la^ 



hJiU^Mh^ AM> /a/»7(\s. 



rnvvM'tl v>u hor l>Uiul«Hl 0)«^s{U\»l laltriiiii; 

Suo»l in u \\»U'o Uko wtiilliu;: wiiul tlmt 

F(\»<u i>>i|>on oov»n'ls vnor U>(»ol> l;»kv\s. 
In tl\os|uu lu\>i't of in>\uom\>rii>l tloUs, — > 
A III (ill, soUMuji' vouo, v\ho-so iu>)iul>ih 
swells, 

l\>UnV iU-lX'SS lUs OVil 0\U||{UU>U. 

Sho plouds t\>r l>riv*f vloli»y, with fjvu«loil 

t;msJkiU>J !»t MMUO »lim pluUdvMU v't' ll>0 

^I'iUu. 
Sl>aiK>vvlu)f a Vi>j«uo ^loUvoraiuo. "As 

tlu»u wilt," 
llo ;u\swoi\hI slowiy. " Woll I Uuow ilu^ 

.ijuiU 
or Im\>Kou wnvs o!U\ novor (vsi v»n thoo! 
Tas^ l>y imluirl I" MuioK sl»o uunovl to 

NvM" i^xisovl until htMM>lu\ml>oi't'»l pi'ivivoy 
Sl>o tXNU'Uovl with i»<uit iuji sUUvs, [K\\\\d as 

iU'^vth. 
Atul ^^>s\^itvii with *luM"t. ju\»i'ulsluHl sobs 

fvM- btx^nth. 
^Tatiiiht tun I. lm\>iwl UKo a pv>or tiut- 

toi'iivsi bii\l, 
Oi'vla(kj»UHl>outv^ijUn^ii" fuMi> tlu> liuuHvnt 

l.iuvvl to {> i>itfaU! Yet sttoh vvuli as ?A«\s- 
W'oiv suivly voi*l ? If not, l>o Mill sludl 

luiss — 
Whato'ov MUlo— his Io»t^«^o\\vot0il 

hUss; 
IVtttn* intix^fv^UliHl anus, aukl staiuUvts 

sloop 
AYhotv tlu^ j;m>Hl»\H»iMn,«; willvnv- 

buuuiu^ \voo\>. 
Thau uuvt a fato sv> lUvloousI Lot uu^ 

iluuk: 
OtUoiX"pu»v wivos. bravo vtt-jjltis, o«\ 

tho bduK 
Of shamo aiul ruin, havo struck hou»o 

auvl tUsU 
'l\> tiuvl uuouvliu>j vjuiot wiU> tUovloail." 



Horno down as by a »\onu>n's hand w hloli 

prossoil 
Invisiblo, t>ni stitUn>;o>\ hor l>i'x<;>st. 
With brain bouuu»t>Oil. >oi luunin^;. and 

a souso 
IM" uttor. w'oariod, ^losporato linpotonoo, 
llor l"orlv>rn ulanoo a»\uiU(l lho»lark«M\in>j 

i\>*uu 
Uvniusi in holplovs soarvli, lH>u» out tho 

iilv»ou» 
('au,«,ht Iho bluo,i;liit»>rol' a h;dt shoaihoil 

bla*lo. 
.\ small but UH^uohaut stool, whosi* h>sn\» 

playoil 
r»aK>fully bright. au»l hk»^ a sorpout's 

t\vo 
Ki\»-vl on luH' with u»alijiu o\jH»otanoy. 
Prow lu>rport\>»vtMowanls IVath, ^thal 

»loalh whloh soouuhI 
Tho solo, storu moans tlu\>ugh whioh 

hor lanu* wvIoouuhI. 
ShouUl svmr in spiritual boauly o'or tho 

tvunb 
Whoivin uught i^v^l ht>r bvvly's uiouUK>i^ 

iui; bU>on>. 

Ah, uto! tho looks vUstnvujjlu. tho 

passiv»nato oaiv, 
Tho wholo wiUl soono, its nilsory a»ul 

vltvsjmir, 
tVmo kaok liko soouos of yostoixlay. 

Ualf bv»wovl 
Uor tptoonly fvMuu auvl tho pout ijriof 

allv»wo»l 
A nuunonrs fi\H^lv>ui shakos hor tv> tho 

oo»\\ 
Tho invnvvst si^vt v>f ivason. " All is 

v»*or." 
Sho ninnunrs, as hor slondor hngoi^s fool 
Tho *lv>jully o*lgv of tho *vlvl shinunorin^jj 

stivL 
At vMuv hor swift arnv tlashos tv» its 

hoijiht. 
WhUo tho poisod ^loath han>£sm»ivoH»\g\ 

auki hor sij;ht 
(U\>ws vlaeovl au»l ,«;ivUly : whou fi\Mn far, 

sv> far 
It svmn^KHl liko ihv> woiixl voioo of a 

star. 




Il<' KniM'l IM a;>i<' ' liii I'vt •'!! ullli im;i|I<«I Iiiiii'I, 
,Vii>l iIk'ii i'mIi- lillUiitly (loHii llii' Hiiiilll liiiiil." 



TllK WIFE OF BiaTTANY. 



133 



Miilllril l)v (lislaiice, yet distinct and 

dcVp. 

AliouL her in Uic tcnihlt' silence creep 
Accents that seize as with a hodily 

f()rc(> 
On licr while arm suspended, and its 

couisc 
'!"() fatal issues, witli arresting will 
Hold rii^id, lill supine it drops and 

still, 
IJaek to its (Iroojiiu!;' level, and a 

claiiii 
Of the treed steel I hiouiili all tlieehani- 

l>er rani; 
Sharply, and soniethini;' shuddered 

down th(! air 
Lilvc wings of hallled liouds passing in 

fierce despair. 

A warning blent of prescient wrath and 

prayei- 
Those accents seemed, where through a 

pali)ahle dread 
{[an coldly shivering. " Tause, pause, 

pause!" they said; 
'• IJar not thy hopes 'gainst chance of 

liappier fate! 
The circuit vast which i-oiuids life's dial- 
plate 
Hath many lights and sha<les; its hand 

which lowers 
So threatening unu-, may move to 

golden hours, 
And tliou on tiiis sad time may'st look 

like one 
Smiling on mortal woes from some 

luisetting sun." 

Motionless, overcome by hushing awe, 
.She lieard the mystic voice, and dreamed 

slie saw, 
.Just o"er I lie duiiious l)orders of the 

light, 
A wavering apparition, scarce more 

hri'dit 



Mistlike it waned; but in her heart of 

liearts 
The solemn counsel sank: with guilty 

starts. 
She tliought how near, through grief's 

lievvildering blight, 
How near to death, to death and shame, 

this niglit 
Tier reckless soul had strayed. Yet 

short-livcid hope 
Gloved hour by liour through [>atlis of 

nari'owing scope. 
As, day by day, iier tijrm of gi-ace 

l)assed by. 
Like phantom birds across a phantom 

sky; 
Iler lord still al)sent, and Anrelian 

bound 
( l"'or thus he wrote her) to one wcaiy 

roiuid. 
Morn after morn, of pacings to and fro, 
Within the wooded garden-walls below 
The city's southwai'd portals. " There," 

said he, 
" Each (hiy, and all day long, impatiently 
I wait thy will." 

As when in dewy spring, 
'Mid the moist Irerbage closely nestling, 
Ofttinu'-s we see the hiuited partridge 

cling, 
Panting and scanid, to the thiek-eo\er- 

ing grass. 
The. while; above her eoueli d()lh darkly 

pass 
What seemeth the, shadow of a giant 

wing. 
And sh(!, more lowly, witli a cowering 

stoo]), 
Shiv(M'S, expecting the fell, (ieiy swoop 
Of the i^aunt hawk, that corsair of tlu; 

l)i"(H'ze, 
And feels beforehand his sliarj) talons 

seizi' 
And rend her tendei' vitals; so at, home, 
lolene, trembling at the stroke to ii.me. 



Than one faint moon-iay, through the Touclied by the lurid shadow of lier 



misty tears 
Of clouded eveiungs seen on breezeless 
mountain niei-cs. 



doom. 
Lingered; until, ujion a sumiy dawn. 
Her lord returning, gayly up the lawn 



ij-:<n:.\/>s AX/) i.)i:ics. 



I'rU'i'd his Itlillu' courser, inul. disinomil- 

iiiu. caiuc 
Ipdii licf. warmly uIkw iiij;'. all allaiiu' 
Willi liopc ami loxc. Hut as licr dreary 

eyes 
A\'eri' liirneil on his. a (iiiiek, disi urhed 

surprise 
Auil iheu a lernif. siiiole him. and the 

\ diet' 
All Jnhilanl. tull-hfeallied 1o say, '• He- 

joiee. 
(>iii' loes are slain !"" ela\e slammeriuu' 

in his I hroal. 
Jhll she. luM- loose, dishevelled locks 

alloal 
Ivoimd the tair-slopiiiL;- shoulders, her 

hands clasped 
Ahout hi.s mailed knees, hrokouly liasped 
Her anu'uish foflh, and told horsoirow- 

ful laic. 
l)i/./.\ auil mule, and as (he marhle 

pale 
Whereon he leaned, unto lln> desperale 

.■loM> 
The Lni.-hl heard all. locked in a cold 

rc!>osc 
Moic dread than stormiest passion: lil'e 

and sli'enulh 
(Seemed slowly ehhinu I'fom hini, till at 

Icn-th 
His soul, like one that walks llu> fatal 

sand 
(A\"hose treacluTous smoothm^ss looks a 

soliil st land, 
Jhit lemi>ts to ruin), tell all eai'th j^fow 

dim. 
And round him saw. as in a chaos, 

sw im 
.loy's fair hofi/.on melliim in the 

cloud. 
]>ul soon his stalwart \\ill, nmued and 

]ifoud, 
A\dke lionliki" to action: a switt Ihish 
Unshed like a sunset ii\er"s reddi'uinu' 

ulow 
C>'cr the tempestuous Macknoss of his 

brow. 
Pregnant with ihnndcr: thronuh the dis- 

lual hush. 



His iiitiless voico, sharp-echoing round 

ahout 
'I'he clan-ill^ court, Icajicil liki-a falchion 
out. 

" 'I'luni hasi played with honor as a juu- 

-Icr's hall: 
(unl strikes ihcc front thy halanc<'. and 

Ihclhrall 
.\rt thou, henceforth, o( one \ ainiilorious 

de.'d. 
AVhatI sliall we plant with rash caprice 

(he seed 
Of hitti'iiiess, iKir look for some harsli 

fruit 
'I'o spring, untimely from its poisonous 

roof.' 
\Vhal! a lewd spark, a pcifiimed pop- 
in ja\ . 
Dares in the hroad-hrow cd. honest ^aze 

of day. 
To dash a foul tlionuhl. like the hideous 

spray 
Of Hell, ri-ht in th> forehead, — and 

lh\ hand, 
\\hieh should ha\e lowered as if the 

lev in-hrand 
Of scorn and judmnciU armed it, hut a 

hland' 
Dismissal si^ns him I not one hint which 

tells 
Thy lord, meantime, what loathsonu- 

sccrcl dwells 
Here, hy his hearthstone, mulllcd up. 

coiu'calcd. 
And like a corse corinptinj;'. till, revealed 
Hy veuiicful doom, its pestilent odor 

steals 
Outward, while all the wln>lesome hlood 

con-eals 
'I'o a chill horror, and the air u'rows \ ilc. 
And cviMi the blessed sun a death's-head 

smile 
.\ssumes in oiu' distempered fantasy'i* 
r>y Ilcavcnl this witlierinji eurso which 

hanus o'er thee, 
O lolenel" — bul lu>re his auufy voice 
Urokc short, — •"There is no choice," ho 

moaned. '■ no choice. 



7'//A' wirr, or unrn'.w'Y. 



i:}5 



^^,•^, wil'rl lli:i\ ('lirisl ;i(ljiul'_;r liir il I 'riiri)ll'j,ll llioirirlils ilrctilcil lini'llil ill'. 

w liilr I licy )i;is.si'(l — 



'I'd ('ll{|lr;s, ;is now keen iMliilllily, 

IJiil lliroii'^li lliis l.roiihloiis i,'l()i)iii my 

iniiiil (lisccriis 
< >iic' lonely li.u'lil. lo iiuiiir iis; Id. il iiiiriis 
l;iiriil, yd, clcHi', liy wliosi' licicr llaiiic J 

S('(' — 

All, ^ricf iiiiiliiiii ! ;ili, liiiirr dcsliiiy ! — 
As ir (Joil's own rinhl liiiiiil llir lii.i/.iii!; 

jiiiiii 
And (ii'i'\ hiijr dill sliini|i on soul ;ind ' In tlir liidiid /.rnitli, it. .si i';in,L;i' cloud 



W'lii'ii piissnl, ;i flickci'iML; poinl I Ihirk! 
'I'lic doonii'd lioiii' III liisl ! 

An !iriiriiooii il. was, .si irlcs.s and <';iln) : 
l''roni lii'ld and ,i;ard(Ui-clos(! I'ai'c Itrcatlis 

•d halm 
.Made I lie air inoisl ainl odoi'ous. .\al iu'<; 

lay 
I)i\in(dy |ica,crd'ul ; only I'ai'a.way 



iinrinlrd 
lis iiodiii'j,' lianiK'i' weirdly o'er IIh' world ; 
Whilst lolcnc, her vcilrd head sadly 

l)0W(!d, 
Passed lliroiiuli llie j^ay tliofjie and its 

motley crowd, 
To w lie|-e a .i^ntiil Willi lowered tliissido 

a. wood. 
\\\ lliin'_;s her ma/,e(|, eliaolie laiiey 

j viewed 

She howi'd as if a lil;i>l oT sudden wind, Lookeil dre.amlike; e\en Aiireliaii lin- 



liraiii. 
'I'hese lernis of doom : 

Sliiinir (IikI (h'.KiKiir for hnlli, 
Sorrnir uii'l /irmihi-cdl.-.' 'riiraniih all, 

'I'/niii (riiijKiii, s/lf-iiiralrcd, Nclf-losI ; 

(IikI SI) 
Fur,- I he hi, irk J'nnil nf l/ils t ri'iininlKn :f 

iroc ! " 



iJrealliinu lull winler, smote her eold 

and Mind : 
'J'licii as one wamleriii'j, in a s<»nl-eeli])se, 
FcMihly she rose, and with her <|iii\('rin'4 

lips 
Kissed her pale lord, slillimj, onedesolate 

cry. 
Anon she moved around him noiselessly 

lielll on I he small, sweet olljees of love; 

.\iid sometimes iiansin.LC, she wonlil 

{.jianee ahove 
With leafless eyes, for solemn '^riels like; 

this. 
I»li<.;hl in^ at, once hotli loot, and llowcis 

of bliss, 
.\re arid as tlu; desert, and in vain 
'J'hiist forlli(' cooliiij^ fi'eshness of the 

rain. 
Fitfully led from lieasnred nook to 

nook 
Of lier dear home, she walkeil with far- 

oi'f look, 
,\nd ahsciit finj^crs, Jilyini; honsidiold 

tasks: 
liravely lier sunless wretchedness she 

masks 



i;erin'^ I heri', 
'I'o meel her ill the shadiest forest -lair, 
(deanieil i;liost ly dim, a. dreailfnl ^host 

in sooth, — 
I'"or still a hideous trani'c appeared to 

press 
I 'poll her and a, niv,liliiiaie Indplcss- 

lless, — 

'I'o whom she knell in sail ne'chanic 

'^nise, 
l'lea,ilin'4 for mercy with siudi piteons 

eyes. 
And such s(dl How of sidf-hewailini,' 

ruth, 
Aiirelian fell liis passion's (|ui\erini; 

chords 
Stilled at the toiicli of those pathetic 

words. 
'J'hat, glance of wild aiipealini; a;.;oiiios. 
Stirreil hy his nobler natnre'.s f;rav<! 

comma nd 
Criial fair, iiidw illiiin iiii^el sweet and 

urand. 
IJorii to traiismnte tbe worn and blasted 

soil 
Of sinful hearts by his c(destial toil 



I8() 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



To Ktlon pliiccsand the haunts of God). 
lie r.tooiK'd, and, courteous, raised her 

I'l'oni I lie sod, 
And wliisju'rcd closely in lier ea!;'er 

eai- 
W'or.ls which liis guardian i;('nius smiled 

to hear; 
Words of release, and halniy brcalliini;- 

cheer. 
And while his sofienin^' i;'a/.e a j;i'atefal 

niisi 
l'\'eliuL;ly dimmed, \\\[\\ knightly i;raee 

lie kissed 
ili'r droopinn' forehead, and h>ose tresses 

I lii'ow n 
In ripiilim;- wa\(>s adow n the heavinu 

/.one; 
Once, Iwiee, he kisscil her thus, with 

re\('renee meek; 
Ihit when her brinunini;' eyes uplifted, 

Aurelian now, wiih eloquciU loi)ks to 

l.'ll 
What Icndcresl words I'oidd not t'ouvey 

.so well, 
Mic only he.irs the tr(H'-stems, tall anil 

brow n, 
Theiiolden leaNcsconu' faintly llutterini;' 

(low II, 

.\ ml only he;irs ilie wind of sun.set moan: 
.Midmost ihe Iwili^ht wood the lady 
shuuls alone. 

S(nng by his misery inti) frenzied mo- 

liou. 
Her lord meantime beside [\w restless 

oci'an 
h'oamed, bearkeniuiL; to the mournfid 

undertone 
Of the sea's mi,<;hty heart, which touched 

his ow u, 
() (iod, howsadlyl when aluiiptly lift- 

iui;- 
His fiu'rowcd brow, Ioul;- lixed upon tin- 

shiftiuii' 
And mimic whirlw inds o{ loose sand thai 

Hew 
Hither and thither, as the brief winds 

blew 



\l lilful whiles from o'er the watery 
waste. 

He saw, as if slu> spurned (he earth in 
haste. 

His i;'cntle wife returninj^, with a 
face 

Wheii'on there dwell no shadow of dis- 
grace; 

A fac(» that seemed traustii;tu-ed in the 
li-hl 

Of i'aradi.so, it shouo so softly bright. 

licaiitifid ever, round her now there 
hovered 

A subtle, new-born i;lory. which discov- 
ered 

A shape so (la/zliui^-, you had thought the 
plume 

Of some archangers pinion east its 

iihuMU 

.\bout her, and the veil of heaven with- 
drawn, 

Slu' viewed the mystic streams, tho 
saiipbire dawn, 

.Vnd heard the choirs celestial, tier on 
tier 

ri>towi'rin,u to the uttermost ^c'ldcii 
sphere, 

^iini;' of a \an(iuislied drcail, a blest re- 
leas.", 

'['he ellhieucc and the solemn charm of 
peace. 

I'^veniuL;' closed round them: o'er the 

placid reach 
Strctcbiuu:,' far northward of thesca-nrrt 

beach. 
They iiassed, while night's tirst planet in 

the sky 
Fallei-cil from out the stillness timitlly. 
And iierfnmed bree/.es rustled nuirnnu- 

iui;- by, 
"Twixt the grim headlands up the glens 

lodi.-, 
.\nd w hite-w iiiged sea-1'irds, with a long- 

drawn cry, 
\\'hii'h spake of homeward flight and 

billowy nest, 
(danced ihroimh the sunset down the 

wavering West. 



THE RIVER. 



187 



l']\('iiiii.i:; closed o'or thciii, incllowiiig 

into (liii'k; 
Ahjiii^ the lioiizoii's cdiic, a tiny spark, 
Diill-ifil al, lii'st, but l^roadeuiny to a 

Wllili' 

And tiMii(|nil oil) of silvcr-strcaniini;- 

lifiiil, 
.Slowly tli(! .N'i^hl (^)iiccu lair her licavcni 

ascends: 
'I'lic outlin(!s of those; lovinij,- forms she. 

Iilnids 
lulo <iii<' liiniiiioiis shade, which seems 

to lloal. 
.Mingle and melt in sliininn' misis i-emole; 
Type of two iieifect liv(;s, wliose sini;le 

soul 
Onthj'eathes a eonlial music, swe(;t and 

wliole. 
One will, (jne mind, on(! joy-eiiciicled 

f:ile. 

And one winged faith that soai's beyond 
the heavenly gate. 



^ly song, wliicli now lialb long llowed 

nnpei'plcxed 
'J'hrough scenes so varions, calm as 

heaven, or vexed 
By gusty passion, reaches the lone shore, 
(rhostliko and strange, of silenc(;and old 

dreams; 
Kar-off its weird ami wandering whisper 

seems 
liike airs UkU faint o'er untracked oceans 

hoar 
On hannte(l midnights, when tht; moon 

is low. 
And now 'tis (MhUmI: long, yea, long 

ago. 
Lost r)n th(! wings of all tin; winds that 

iilow. 
The dust of these dead loves hath ])ass(!d 

away ; 
Still, still, methinks, a soft, ethei'cal 

i-ay 
llhunes the tender record, iind makes 

l)riglit 
Its hearl-deep ]ia1hos Willi a marvellous 

light. 



So tliat wliale'er of frenzied grief and 
]iain 

Chirred Hie pnie currents of the crystal 
strain, 

Ti'ansfigured shines through fancy's mel- 
lowing trance, 

Touching with golden haze tlie (|naint 
old-world romance!. 

NoTio. — or " 'I'lic l'"r;uil(lchies Talc," tlie 

[ilol, lit whi.-li lias I II ri.Uowcd in '"I'lic Wife 

lil Itrill.'iiiy," liicli.-ird llc'iiry Ilcirii<\ the ail- 
lliur (il "(Hidii," says: "It is a iiolilc story, 
\n'v\i'.rX ill its iiioriil imrposc, uiiil chivalrous 
Hcll-(l(;votioii to a feeling ot Irutli ami honor; 
hut IL would have b(^(!ii more saLislaetoiy in an 
iiitelleetual sense had a distinc'tion been made 
l>i't\v(;eii a sincere i)ledgo of faith and a ' merry 

holMl !'" 



THE /!/!' /■:/,: 

["Man's lile is like a river, which likewise 
hath its seaiSouH or phases of progress: lirst, its 
s|ii'ing rise, gentle and beautiful; next, itn 
siiiiiiiKM-, of eventful maturity, mixed ealin, 
and slorni, followeil by autuniiuil deeadeneu;, 
and mists of winter, after wliieh eometh the 
all-<-iiiliiai'iii}^ sea, type of that mystery wo 
call cicriiily!'"] 

I'l' among Hie dcw-lil fallows 

Slight but fair it took its rise. 
And thi'ongh rounds of golden shallow.s 

Hrighlcned under liroadcning skies; 
Wliile the delicate wind of morning 

'I'ouched th(! waves to happier grace, 
liike, a hn^ath of love's forewarning, 

Dimpling o'er a virgin face, — 
'I'ill the tides of that rare river 

Mei'ged and mellowed into one. 
Flashed the shafts from simdaw n's ({uiver 

Hackward to the sun. 

Ttoyal breadths of sky-born blushes 

IJurned athwart its billowy breast, — 
Ihit beyond those roseate; flushes 

Shone the snow-wliite swans at rest; 
iJoiind in grace^ful flights the swallows 

Dipjicd and soared, and soaring sang, 
And in bays and reed-bound lioUows, 

How earth's wild, sweet voices rang! 



138 



LHaL'^'DS AXD LYJilVS. 



Till tho strong, swift, lilorious rivor 
Sooiuoil Willi mi^litior pulso to nm, 

'riuis to roll and rush lorovor. 
liiuigliiiij;- in the sun. 

Tsay; a sonh'thin:^ horn of sluulow 

Slowly oivpt tho iiuulsoupo o'or, — 
lSou\othinu wcinl o'or wavo ami nioatlow. 

Soniolhinji colli o'or slioani aiul shoro; 
^Vhill> on hiiils that j^'loainoil or rhantoii. 

Sii>U< gray gloom ami silomv grini, 
Antl tho tronhKnl wavc-hoart pantod. 

And tho smiling hoavons waxod di)n. 
And from far strangv spat'os soaward, 

C>uf of droamy olond-lands dun, 
Camo a low gust moaning looward. 

(.'hilling K'af and sun. 

Thou, from gloom to gloom intonser. 

(,>n tho laboring .s|roan\lot roUod, 
Whoro from i-loud-raoks gathorod donsor. 

llark! tho omiiions thundor knollod! 
\Vhilo liko ghosts that tlit and shivor. 

Oown tho n\ists, from mil tho blast, 
Spootral pinions orossod tho rivor, — 

Spootral voioos wailing passod! 
Till tho tioroo tidos. rising starkly, 

r>l(-ndoil. ti>\\oring imo ouo 
Mighty wall of blaokuoss. darkly 

(.Juonohiug sky and siml 

Thonoo. to soft or soonos it wandorotl. 

Soonts of llowors aiid airs of balm. 
.\nd niothonght tho siroamlot pondorod, 

Consoious of tho blissful oahn: 
Slow it woinul now. sUnv and slowor 

l»y still boaoh and ripply bight. 
And tho voioo of wavos sank lowor, 

l.adon, languid with dolight; 
In anil oni tho oordial rivor 

Strayod in poiiooful onrvos that won 
dory from tho groat l-ifo-liivor. 

Uoauty from tho sun I 

Thonoo ag-jiin with unaintost rangos. 

0\\ tho fatofnl stroandot rv>llod 
Through un>\umboivd.naniolossohang»»s, 

Shado ami sunshiuo. gloom and gold. 



Till tho tidos. grown sad and woary. 

liongod to moot tho nughtior main. 
And tlioir low-tonod lins^|•^l•^ 

Minglod with his grand rofraiu; 
Oh. tln> languid, lapsing rivor. 

W oak of pulso and soft of tuno, — 
l.o! I ho sun hath .sot forovor, 

l.ol ilh' ghostly moon I 

Ihi! liioucofonh through moon and star- 
light 

Snddon-swift tho stroamlol's swoop; 
Voarning for tho mystio far-liglu. 

rining for tho solomn dooj*; 
W'hilo tho old strongth gathors o'or it. 

Whilo tho old voioo rings snblimo. 
.Vnd in ]>allid mist boforo it. 

Fado tho \ihantom shows of limo. — 
Till with ouo last oildying quivor. 

.Ml its ohookorod journoy dono. 
Soaward broaks tho ranson\od rixor. 

Cioal anil uravo arc won I 



Tiih: :<roi;Y or at.ircrs the 



l.isr to this logoud, whioh an antiiiup 

pool 
Hath loft among tho musty tomosof old. 
l.iko a Ilushod rosobud prossod botwoon 

tho loavos 
0\' somo worn, dark-hnod vohnno. What 

a liglu 
(.>f hoalthfid bloom about it! \Vhat an 
I 

I Sooms broathing round itsdolioato potals 
I still! 

' Wilt thou not tako it. lady, — thou. 

whoso faoo 
I Is lovoly }»sa lv>st Aroadian droam, — 

And plaoo it next thy heart, and koop it 
! frosh 

With balmy dows thy gontlo spirit sonds 



* Tho cleinonts of this story art> to l>o found 
in .\polU>uius HhoiUii!!, .nnd l.oijrh Hunt luw 
onjlKHiioil thoM» in a graooful pivso log^Mid. 




•Mill llir r;ilcliil SllC.-llllIrl rollcl 
'riirciu;^li iiiiiiiuiihi'K'il. ii;iinclcss changes, 
Shade and Minsliinc, hIimhii and «nld." 



THE STORY OF GLAUCUS THE ^hES SALTAN. 



139 



Up to the deep founts of the tenderest 

eyes 
That e'er have shone, I think, since in 

some dell 
Of Argos and encluinted 'i'hessaly, 
The poet, from whose heart-lit brain it 

came. 



Musing lie passed to a still lonelier place 
In the dim forest, by this act of grace 
Lightened and cheered, when, from the 

copse-wood nigh, 
There dawned upon his vision suddenly 
A sliapc, more fah' and lustrous than the 

star 



Murmm-ed this record unto her beloved ? j Which rides o'er Cloudland on lie 

sapphire car 



TIIK STORY. 

Glaucus, a young Thessalian, while the 

dawn 
Of a fresh spring-tide brightened copse 

and lawn, 
Sauntered, with lingering steps and 

dreamy mood, 
Adown the fragrant pathway of a wood 
Which skirted his small homestead 

pleasantly. — 
And there he saw a tall, majestic tree. 
An oak of untold summers, whose broad 

crown, 
Qtuvering as if in some slow agony, 
And trembling inch by inch forlornly 

down. 
Threatened, for want of a kind propping 

care. 
To leave its breezy realm of golden air. 
And from its leafy heights, with shriek 

and groan. 
Like some proud forest empire over- 
thrown. 
Measure its vast Ijulk on the greensward 

lone. 

Olaucus beheld and pitied it. lie saw 

The apiiroaching ruin with a touch of 
awe. 

No less than genial sympathy, — for men. 

In those old times, pierced with a wiser 
ken 

To the deep soul of Nature, and from 
thence 

Drew a serene and mystic influence, 

AVhich thrilled all life to music. There- 
fore he 

Called on his slaves, and bade them prop j And sometimes, upon warm and odorous 
the tree. eves, 



When vesper winds are fluting solemnly. 
" (xlaucus," she said, in tones whose 

liquid flow, 
Mellow, harmonious, passionately low. 
Stole o'er his spirit with a strange, wild 

thrill, 
" I am the Nymph of that fair tree thy 

will 
Hath saved from ruin ; but for thee my 

breath 
Had vanished mistlike. — my glad eyes 

in death 
Been sealed for evermore. Yes ! but for 

thee 
I must have lost that half-divinity 
Whose secret essence, spiritually fine. 
Hath warmed my veins like Hebe's 

lieavenly wine. 
No more, no more amid my rippling hair 
Could I have felt soft fingers of the 

air 
Dallying at dawn or twilight, — on my 

cheek 
Have felt tlie sun rest with a rosy streak. 
Pulsing in languor; noi' with pleasant 

pain 
Drooped in the cool arms of the loving 

Ilain, 
That wei)t its soul out on my bosom fair. 
But now. in long, calm, blissful days 

to be. 
This life of mine shall lapse deliciously 
Through all the seasons of the boun- 
teous year; 
n( neath my shade mortals shall sit, and 

hear 
Benignant whispers in the shimmering 

leaves; 



140 



LEGENDS AND LYIUVS. 



thiniis. — 
llout'v aiul fruit, — ami tlii'ani tlicv mark 

till' wings 
Of Cniiids (liiiioriuii- tlirouj^ii tlio oak- 

bouglis luKir. 
All this 1 o\\<' tlu'c. (ilaufus, — all, and 

morf I 
Ask what ilioii wilt I — thou shall not 

ask in \ainl " 

Thcu (Jhuu'us, uazing' in lior i^lorious 

ovcs. 
And rallying- from his lirst unmanned 

snrpiiso, 
Kmholtlenod, \oo. Iiy hor soft looks, 

wlui'li divw 
A spoil about his lu>ait liko liiv and dow 
31inglod and molting in a lovo-chanu 

bland,— 
And by tho twinkling o( her moon-whiii- 

hand. 
That so(>nu'd to bockon I'oyly tohorsidc. 
And by hor maidon suootnoss deiliod. 
And soniothing that ho doomod a doar 

unrost 
-IK'aving tho nnvoilod billows of hor 

broast — 
(As if hor protoniatnral i>art, as froo 
And wild as any nuisling of tho loa, 
A'oarnod wliollv ilownward to hnman- 

ity)— ■ 
Emboldonoil thus, 1 sav, (Uauons lo- 

plio.l: 
'"O fairost vision! bo mv lovo, — niv 

brido!" 

Over hor faoo thoro passod an airy flush, 
Tho losoato shado, tho twilight of a 

hlnsli, 
Kro tho low-whisporing answ or ponsivoly 
t^tirrod tho dim silonoo in its tranood 

hush. 
"Thy suit is grantod, (Canons! though. 

porohanoo 
A poril broods ii'or this, thy bright ro- 

mani'o. 
J.iko a lono oloudlot o'or a lako that's 

fair. 



Whon tho high m>i>n, tiaunt'.ng so hotly 

now 
Fades into ovtMiing. tlion may'st moot. 

mo horo. 
dust in tho voo\ of this rill-shadowing 

bough; 
My favorito boo. my fairy of iho tlowors. 
Shall bid llnH' oomo to that pnro tryst t>f 

oui's.'" 

Who now so proud as (Jlauous '.' •• 1 havo 

won," 
Lightly ho said, "tho mar\ollous bon- 

ison 
Of lovo from hor in whoso soft-ft>lding 

arms 
(iods might forgot Klysiuml ft I hor 

oharms 
Aro piMfoot, — porfoot hoavon and por- 

toot oarth, 
r>lost and oonnninglod in ono oxt|uisito 

birth 
(M' boanty, — and for mo I 1 know not 

w liy, 
l>nt rosy Imos o\or soonis to tly 
liayly hoforo mo, arnioil for \ iotory. 
In ovory ploasant lovo-strifol ■■ On this 

thomo 
Oooply hi' dwi'lt, till a vain solf-ostoom 
Obsonrod his worthier spirit. Thus ho 

wont 
Out from the haunted wood, his nature 

toned 
Down to tho eounnon daylight, dison- 

/oned 
0{' all its vart\ ethereal ra\ishmont. 

Still in this mood, ho sought tho neigh- 
boring town, 

IMot with some gay young eon\rados, and 
sat down 

To dieo and wassail. All that morn ho 
played. 

And quaffed, and sang, and feasted, till 
tho shade 

0( evoning o'or earth's forehead oast a 
gloom ; 

And still ho played, when on his ear tho 
boom 



TIIF. STOHY OF (II.Arcrs rilF. rilFSSALLW, 



141 



or ii swit'l. sliiniiii;-, ,\<'ll()\v-l)rv;tslc(| hcc 
Ifiliii,' out, ils siiiall al.tiiiiii. 'I"citsiii,i;ly 
Tlie iiiscci, liiiiiiiiK'd jiIkxiL liiiii, wciil aiid 

r.iiiic, 
Ami likr ,1 liny lidl of ciivlin-- (lajnc. 
And (lisciinl Ncciiicl lo (ih.iinis, wlioal, 

la^l 
Struck ;iL till' uiiij,'cil toriiKdit le.sl,ily. 
Tlu! beo — poor i;-o-l)(!L\V(!(!u! — iiiciliier 
Ihi-Ii 

Crilrlly lliaillh'd, wilh Icclilc Mill I iM-ill';S, 
pa>srd 

JJack to its lidiiic amid llic roljajicd 



At 1ciil;I|i, ill two most forliiiiali'tlirows, 

till' gallic 
Was won hy (ilaiiciis! Willi I riiimpliaiil 

smilr 
Ilf soiz(!(l and |)ocli<'tcd a, ,!j;lit,U'nii,sj; pile. 
Of new sestertii. '"Ay! 'tis e'er llu; 

same," 
Jl<' millh'ivd; '-dire t,v woiiicii, ) iiinsi 

w ill ! 
J5nt li(,l,i:_|,y \',.niis: ■|\\ci-i- a iiiiriiin;;- 

sill. 
And false lo my fond w ild lldwci- of ihc 

wood 
l-oiiL;crlo dally here. () {•■(.il ime ! n(K„|, 
Kind mistress, speed me still! Wdnld 

I hat eacli lieel 
Were plumed like happy Hermes'!" 

His late zeal 
Spurred 111,. y,,iilh onward lo the plac,. 

of trysl, — 
One final burst of sunset — ametliysL, 
Uuliy, and topaz — Itiazcd anionic the. 

hou.i,dis, 
Wlieiire a sad voice, — '> llrm/.-ir of 

sninuu rn,r.s. 
W/nll <l,,sl Ihnil hrrr / Tl/llir h<,nr /nis 

/filsl I'nr diji' .' '" 
•■laileils. wilh slarlird eyes, ] iv(| 

through I he sway 
Of moistened fern and Ihicki'l, Iml his 

view 

IJesled alone on vacancy. orcaiii,dil. 
Swift us tlic sliiftin-i lilainonr of a J 
thought, 



Only the noldeii and evanishini;- ray, 
Which, softened hy cool sparkles of Hie 

Flashi'd lliroii-li the half-closed lids of 
weary l>a.y. 

"Here am I,"' said the voice, so sadly 

sweet, 
The iistciK!!' thrilled even to his paiisiii"- 

feet, — 
" Here, ri.uhl hel'ore Hk'c, (dancus!" 

Vet a;,^ain 
The yoiilli willi straiiiin,!^' eyelialls and 

hot liraiii. 
Searched the densi' I liickels, — it was all 

in vain. 
"Alas! alas!" (and now a tremnlons 

moan 
Sobbed llir)M-li Ihc voice, lik(! a faint 

minor lone 
In moiirnfnl himian miisic) — '-111011 

canst see 

.My fa,ee no more, for sternly, drea,rily, 
A wildei'iii- cloud of sense, that siiall 

not rise, 
llalh come between me and thy darkeii- 

in.L; eyes. 
Oshallow-hearled ! iicMMinorc on thee 
Shall visions of that liner world above 
Dawn from Ihc ehasle auroras of their 

love: 
I'lil cimiiion I billies, seen in a funeral 

haze 
01 eartliiness, ami sorrow, and mistrust, 
WeiL;li the soul down, and soil its holies 

with diisl ; 
A hand like i-'ale's wilh eriiel force shall 

jircss 
'{'by s]iiril backward into heaviness. 
And Ihc bas(! realm of that forlorn abyss 
Wherein the serp(Mit I'assions writhe and 

hiss 
ill savaue desolation! IJIind, bliml, 

blind 
Art I lion beiKeforlb in heart, and h(jpe, 

and mind ! 
l''or he lo w Ikjiii my mc«seiii;er of joy 
.\nd sootliini^ promise only brought 
annoy 



142 



LEGENDS AND LYlilCS. 



Auil sliaiji ilisquii't in his low-boni 

lust, — 
\Vlial, what to liim hind lifituti/'n 

kiss. 
The chai-in of lot'ly (■tuivcrsc in the 

ih'lls. 

Of iliviiio itiootinji's. musical taicwclls. 
Ami ^limpsos thmuuh the lliokcriug 

leaves at niiihl 
Of such I'air mysteries in a\ve-hushiu_u' 

li-hl 
That even 1. who in these t'oi'ests 

.Iwell 
riirely with iuuoceut crealiu-es, unto 

whom 
All Natui'c ojies Iht iiineiiuost heafl oi 

l.loom 
And Messedness, hy some majestii- 

spell 
rplifli'il unto fealins inetl'ahle. 
Faint almost in the splendor laf.uv and 

clear? 
The winds have ceased their unu'imir- 

iuii's, — iMi my ear 
The rill-sonus n\eli to thfcads of delicate 

tune. 
And e\ eiy small iitote daneim;' in the 

ittoou 
Expands, and hrijihteiis to a spiritual 

eye. 
lauiuii'mc up lo Immoi'tality. 
Ol then u\v eaithh naiure. looscniuL; 

slips 
Down like a uarment. and invisible 

lips 
AVhisper the secivts of their happier 

sphere ! 
This Miss. O yi>uthl my soul had shart'd 

with ono 
AVorthy the gift! Alas! thoirM-\ no\ lie!" 

The voice died otY towaiil the waning' 

sun I 
(.ilancus looked up. — the gaiu\t. gray 

forest trees 
Seemed to close o'er him like a vault of 

stone. 
^'Jit^t Goda."' he sighed. " I (tin iinhfti 

aloni .' " 



Tin: XFST. 

Ar the poet's life-core lyinij 
Is a shehered and sacroil nest. 

AVhere. as yet. unlh-dged for flying. 
His callow fancies rest : 

Fanci(>s. and thoughts, and feelings. 

Which the mother I'syche iu'eeds. 
And passions wlmse dim rcNcalings 

Ihil torture (heir hungry lU'cds. 

\'(M. — there Cometh a summer .splendor 
When the golden hn>od wax strong. 

And. with voices grand or tender. 
'I'hev rise to the hea\en of si>nii. 



lO .1. A. 1). 

lli:i;i:. at the sweetest horn- of this sweet 
day. 
lleii" in the calmest woodland haunt 
1 know. 
Henimiani thoughts around mv memorv 
play. 
And in my heart Ao pleasant tancii's 

lilow. 
hike llowers turned to thee, radiant 
and aglow. 
Flushed hv the light of times forever 

tied. 
Whose tender glory pales, but is not 
dcaii. 

The warm soiuh wind is like thy gener- 
ous breath, 
r.aden with kindly words of gentle 
cheer. 
And t>very whispering leaf ahovi> me 
saith. 
She whom thou dream'st so distaiu 

hovers near; 
ller love it is that thrills the sunset air 
With mvstie motions froui a time that's 

"lied. 
Long past and gone, in sooth. — bill, 
oh I not dead! 



MAii<UJHi!i'ri<:. 



U8 



'I'lic, (irowsN iiiiiiiiiiir of cool liiooks 
Im-Iow; 
'I'lir soil, slnwdollils I li;il scclli lo /y/((.sr 
on liiuli : 
Lovc-iioirs of hidden liirds, that come 
and !io, 
.Making a .scnticnl laptuic of the sky; 
All the fare season's peacefnl sorcci'y, 
'J'hi'sc iunls (jf coi'diai Joys foi'civcf 

lied. 

Jctys past, indeed, and yet tiiey are iiol 
(lead: 

Far from tiie moili'v lliidni; of sordid 
men. 
I''i'oni fasiiion far. mean strife; iiiid 
fii'n/,ie(| uain. 
In tiiose dear da\s lliroiinh many a 
moniilain f^len, 
IJy mnuntaiu streams, and lields of 

rippliuji; f^rain, 
^\^! I'oaiiied luitoiiclied by J'assion's 
fevci'isli pain, 
I5nt (piatlimi Friendship's tran(]uil 

draii.nlits instead, 
its water's el(!ar whose s\V(!etn(;ss is not 
dead! 

Above that nook of laii- iemend)ianee 
stands 
A ilov(!-eyed Faith, liiat falters not, 
nor sh'eps ; 
No llowei's of Lethe (hoop in hei- wliile 
hands. 
And if the uateli tliat steadfast ani^ci 

k(!eps 
]]e iK-nsive and sonic tfansient tears 
she w(!ei)s, 
Tliey are I)nt tears a fond regret may 

shed 
O'er twilight joys which fade, hut are 
not dead ! 

Not dead! not (h-ad! hut <,dorified and 

fair. 
Like yonder marvellous eloiidland 

float iii!i far 
Between tlie niellowini,' sunset's amber 

air 





All 


1 th. 

si 


mi 
ir, 


d liistr. 


of C 


\e's 


earliest 




Oh 


sue 
III 


'IIIO 


) imre. 
•ies are! 


so h 


ri-hl 


. these 


!•; 


irll 


's \\ 


ii'iiilh and 


liea\ 


en's 


serene 






a,r 


iiiiii 


1 them s 


pread 






i '' 


ley 


pass 


lie 


y wane 


hut. 


sweet! thc-y 


1 




ar 


■ not dead! 
















SOW!-: 


v. 






II 


A SI 


Ihoi 


hei 


leld a 1; 


ilidsc, 


ipe 1 


nil anil 






hare. 












On 


Wllie 
sh 


1. at 
■d 


limes. •• 


(lyin 


- -'" 


nil was 




l''rom some s 
1 1 


ly sun hi 


■am s 


liftii 


'4 o\ Cl- 


Tl 


lat. 


liade 

nil 


llie 
III 1 


scene f 
air '.' 


»r on 


e hr 


ef nio 


S; 


ch 


s tin 


liul 


1 . so 1 raiisieii 


. Ilic 


<eriim. 



rare. 

Which, from fate's sullen liea\'eiis 
ahov(! mi! spread, 

ilalh HiisIumI th(! path my weary foot- 
steps ti'(!ad, 
And lent to (hirkness j^limjjses of sweet 

clieer. 

Alas! alas! tlia,t I, whose son! dolli hiirn 
With such deep passion for a steadfast 

hliss, 

^Miistheiid forever o'ei'hop(!'s l)urial urn. 
And t^reet even love; witli a half- 
mournful kiss! 
In sootji, what st(;rn, malii^'iiant iloom 
is this ? 
•Joy! delicate Ariel ! ah! return! return! 



MAI!(ii'i:i:iTK. 

SiiK was a child of j,'cntlest air. 
Of deep-dark eyes, hut ffoldeii liair. 
And, all! I lo\cd hei- unaware, 

.Marf;iieiit((! 

She spelled me wil |i I hose niidlli'^ht eyeS, 
Tlie sweetness of licr naive i-eplies. 
And all her innocent sorceries, 

JSIar<,Mieritc! 



144 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



The fever of my soul grew calm 
Beneath her smile that healed like halm, 
Her words were holier than a psalm, 
Marguerite ! 

But'twixt us yawned a gidf of fate. 
Whose blackness I beheld, — too late. 
Christ! that love should smite like 
liate. 

Marguerite ! 

She did not wither to the tomb, 
But round her crept a tender gloom 
More touching than her earliest bloom, 
Marguerite ! 

The sun of one fair hope had set, 
A hope she dared not all forget. 
Its twilight glory kissed her yet, — 
Marguerite ! 

And ever in the twilight fair 
Moves with deep eyes and golden hair 
The child who loved me unaware ! 
Marguerite ! 



APART. 

Come not with empty words that say, 
" Your strength of manhood wastes 

away 
In long, ignoble, fruitless years!" 
I live apart from pain and tears, 
AVherewith the ways of men are sown, 
Nor dwell I loveless and alone ; 
One tender spirit shares my days. 
One voice is swift to yield me praise. 
One true heart beats against my own! 
What more, what more could man desire 
Than love that burns a steadfast fire 
And faith that ever leads him higher 
Along the path which points to peace ? 

Oh, far and faint I hear the din 
Of battle-blows, and mortal sin 
From out the stir and press of life; 
Those hollow nmliled sounds of strife 



Seem rolled from thunder-clouds up- 
curled 

About a dim and distant world; 

Below me, in the sunless gloom; 

But round my brow the amaranths 
bloom 

Of sober joy with heart' s-ease furled; 

For more, what more can man desire 

Than love that burns a steadfast fire, 

And faith that ever leads him higher. 

Where all the jars of earth shall cease ? 

A present glory haunts my way, 

A promise of diviner day 

Illumes the flushed horizon's verge; 

And fainter, farther still, the surge 

Of buffeting waves that beat and roar 

Up the dim world's tempestuous shore 

Beneath me in the moonless airs ; 

Alas, its passions, sorrows, cares! 

Alas, its fathomless despairs! 

Yet dreams, vague dreams, they seem to 

me, 
On these clear heights of liberty. 
These summits of serene desire, — 
Whence love ascends, a quenchless fire, 
And sweet faith ever leads me higher 
To pearly paths of perfect peace ! 



THE LOTOS AX I) THE LILY. 

Tlie little poeiiis whioli follow were sug- 
gested by ail oriental idea developed in Alger's 
" Specimens of Eastern Poetry." The moon 
is strangely sijoken of as niasctiline. 

THE LOTOS. 

DiiOOPiNd in the sunlit streams. 
We are wrapped all day in dreams ; 

]\[orn and noon and evening light 
liobed for us in garbs of night. 

Only when the moon appears 
Through a silvery mist of tears. 

From the watei's dark and still, 
We arise to driidv our fill 



THE LOTOS AND THE LILY 



145 



Of the tender love lie sheds 
On our fair t'liiiiiioicd heads. 

Ah ! no longer wrapped in dreams, 
How we pant l)eneath his heaius! 

How. with l)r('ath of softest sighs, 
We unclose our yearning eyes, 



And our snowy necks in pride 
Curve about the glittering tide! 

Warmth for warmth and kiss for kiss, 
All our pulses burn with bliss, 

Till revealed our inmost charms 
(blowing in the night-god's arms. 




" \'ie\v us. wliite rolifd lilies. 
We, whose beniity"s nuTiiess 
Sleeps until tlu' liriilt'j;r<Miin sun 
Woos our virtiiu lairness." 



Till: i.ii.Y. 



View us, white-robed lilies. 

We whose beauty's rareness 
Sleeps until the bridegroom Sun 

Woos our virgin fairness. 

Then, our bosoms baring, 
'Xeath his ardent kisses. 

Stem, and leaf, and delicate heart 
Trendding into blis.ses, 



The full, fervid godhead 
Thrills om- being tender. 

And our happy souls expand 
In ecstatic splendor. 

Thus all. (iTi we yield hhn 
<)!' our shrined sweetness, — 

All that maiden warmth may grant 
'Vo true love's completeness, 



1 1(> i.rm'xns .i.v/* /. )■/;/( 's. 

niMU.rss /M/.v. now l.r.Mil. loss still! A inysii," -liiiuour 

TitK r;iiM. Iho tli>s()liiU' riiin I 

(\>!isrl(\ss. ninl solomu. :in<l .'hill I 
How ii drips on tlti' misiv \k\\\c. 

How ii ilr.'li.hrs il,,- .l.irU.Mi.'.l sill! 
i> sci'uc ol' sorrow ami doarili ! 

1 woiilil Hi. II Hu> w iihl awakiu!;- 
'I'o .1 lioroc aiiil ;;nsi\ l>irH\. 

Mi",li( \ :ii\ Hiis (hili r.'lVain 
( M liii' rain, tlio iK'soial(> rain : 
I'or I ho iioait of hoii\i>n sooms hroakiiij;' 
hi lo lis o'er llio U\\U'\\ oarlh, 
A 111! a;;aiu. a,u;aii\, iigaiu 
Wo lisi lo iho soiuhro siraiii. 
Tlio laiul, ooM iuoi\oloin>-- 
Wlioso soul is a mystic moan- • 
0( Uio rain, Iho tuoiinil'ul rain, 
'I'ho .sol'l, (losnairiu!; I'ain! 

'riio rain. Iho murmuroiis rain! 

Woary, \>assi(n>K>ss. slow. 
"Tis tho rliylhin of soIiKhI sorrow. 

"ris Iho sohhiuu; ol' oiiroloss woo! 
Atiii all tho iragio of lil"«>, 

'I'lio pall>os i>r l.oni; Auo. 

('ouu>s haok on Iho sad r(>frain 
iM' Iho rain. Iho droary rain. 
Till iho lira vos in my hoarl imoloso. 

\\u\ lhi> doad Ihal its do|»lhs oiit'old. 
Krom a soUmuu and woinl ivi>os»> 

AwaUo. — hut with oy<>lids o»>Ul. 
And voio(«s thai im>ll in pain 
<h\ Iho lido of Iho idainlivo rain, 
'rh(> y(>arnln,ii'. hopoloss rain. 
'I'ho K>nj;'. low. w hisporinii' rain I 



■/v rrt:()<^iiK rinhr.is," 

A I oNti Iho woods Iho whisporiny; ni!il\t- 
airs swoi»n. 
A sinsiiohhil-noto diosadown \\w tivos. 
Oloar, pallid, monrnfnl. ilroops (hosnm- 
tnor moon, 
IMppod in Iho foam of i-londland"s 
phantom soas; 
Sonndloss thoy hoaxo ahoxo 
'Pho dim. anooslral homo thai holds n\y 
Kiyo. 



Calm waloli and ward o'or this woird, 
drowsy hour: 
\ oil iu'a\on"s al poaoo, Iho oarlh ho- 
iii';nl\ sli-ops; 
\iid ilioii, ihou sliiiulii-rosl loo. m\ 
woodland llowor. 
I''air lily sloopod in li;;lil 
.\nd happy visions o[' iho mar\oll»iiis 
nii^ht ! 

1 wafi a si;;li Irom lliis fond soul lo 
lliiuo. 
.\ liltlosiuh. yol hmioy-ladiMi. doar. 
With fairy froiiihla.uo of siioh hopos di 
\ iuo 
As f.aiu would IliUlor ;;onil\ al ihiiu> 
oar. 
And. onloriim. lind Ihoir way 
How 11 lo Iho hoarl so \oilotl fiimi mo 1>\ 
day. 

In dreams, in droams, porohanoo, lliou 
an not ooy ; 
.\nd ono koon lioi>o nn>ro hold ih.in all 
Iho rosi 
May toiioh ih\ spirit with a Iromiilons 

.\nd stir an answmin^ sofluoss in thy 
hroast : 
O slo.>p! i> Most oi'lipso! 
What niiuuuirod word is fallorin^' al hor 

lips? 

Awako f>>r imo hriiM' monuMU. gonial 
South: 
r>roalho o'or hor slnmbors. waft Ih.u 
word lo mo. 
Warm with lhi> fra.uranoo of iior rosohud 
' mouth, 

I'nwioalhod in smilos of droamful fan- 
tasy: 
I'omo, whisi>or, low aud lic'ht. 
Tho n uno whioh haunts hor maidon 
Irauoo lo-niiih(. 

I !>till. hroathloss-still ! No yoioo in i-arih 

or air: 
; I only kuvnv my dolioato darlins; lios, 



(■///,(>/: /s. 



I 17 



A Iwlll^lil. ImmIi'c i;liliiliM rill", ill li'T 
li.'iir, 
\iiil ili'VVH III' |ii':i.i-<' williiii ill r i;iii,",uiil 

^'I'ii, "Illy know I li:il I 
Am 'mIIciI rrriiii Iom' iiihI ilri'iuiiM, \>i-v 
li;i|>M lo <li(', 

|)ii' wlirn I ill' lic;ivriiH ii.ri', Miirk willi 
Hi-arli'l rain, 
Ami cvi'i'y I iiiic-lliroli'M I'iili'ij: even 
IIm'ic 

lli'C |';ii'i- WMlllil liilic lii|i)ll"li iimhIh of 

iiKirliil jMiii, 
Anil Hwi'i'd'ii (JiNiIJi, likr Hoirii' iii'';ir 
iiiilr. prfiyiT; 
lliirk ! 'IIm till' IriiiMiM-l's mwi'II ! 
Olovi'I O ilrriiiiiM! liirruijl, i'iiri-\\c\\, 
liuvwi'li: 



N ATI' in:. III. Il:<> I III h IMi Wlhhl I). 

IIavk yon nol, iiolcil how in cjiily H|)rin;<, 
Kroiii oiil, till' t'orcHiM, piiMl. flu- iiiiiiinnr- 

iii" lirookn, 
O'lT IJM- liilJHidi'H, Naliiri', willi airy 

Kiiicc, 
liiki- Monir liiir viri:;in, londii'il liy iii'lil", 

jiihI HJiaiii'H, 
(iliili'H liinidly, a, veil of '.'ojili'ii mi .1 
Aldiiil Ikt hrovVH, ami liinliliii," lucom 

I Ira. I (I'll 
In maiili-n foyni'MH ? SIii-'h a hriili- ln'- 

Irollii-.il 
llnio llial inyHt.lr ;^oil, wlio comi't Ironi 

tar, 
li'ii'li Oiii-iil lain! , ii|i()ii (III' winil'i of 

.1 mil-, 
'I'lial, Id'ar him liki- Hwil'l- aiiJoiH, win^i'il 

with liii'; 
Ami whi'iijOn moiiiii calm, hiHlroii", morn, 

\\i:v lord 
IJplil'I.M Ifii- (^oldi-ii vi'il, and wi-iIm lo liriH 
'I'Ik; iinicki'iiin^ waiint.h of ii|ii'., iinnior 

lal li|iH, 
How Ihi' hroad failli IfapH inl.o ia|)liir<'d 

ill'', 
y\ml Lhrills w ilh miiMirl 



'I'lirii a r|i|iT)iJY i|i(ii|H(> 
li'aJHi'd imlr> rriiillMJ i-m|iin', Ihroiijdi all 

lioiii : 
( )l' hoiiiih'oii", :iiimmi'r, idn' vvalk;< proiidly 

on, 
.Sliiniii'^ vviMi hliMJilid I'yi'M of mal lonhood, 
Till, a.l. Ilii' laHl,, a.iilintin, willi rrvfi'i'iil. 

hand, 
I )ol h I'louii Imt willi iillrli lull, coin 

I'lHcd joy, 
Smdi wcaJlh ol' ,Hovcri'i;Mi hi'a.nly, y:\\c 

oner more 
Ahoiil, lii'i hiow : and :.nin|il iion ■- ho.oni 

loldii 
Thai. I'.oldi'ii veil, nol. in iIji- I ri-miiloiiH 

I car 
or inaiili'ii coyni'iiM now, hill, Ic'il, ra'di 

nun, 
Drawn hy Iht awlnl lovcliiif"."., idionld 

dan- 
To \!:.v/,f loo do .riy on il, and llnr; lall, 
Smilli'ii ;iiid Mind, al hi a iin|ii'ria.l I'i'rI.! 



Wll.Al liiiK' Ihf ro-y lliiihiii!.^ U'cmI, 
Sli'i'pH Hfd'l, on cojiHc and diiixli-, 

Wln-rfin llm miiiih<!I, mIiuiIowh rirwl., 
< Ir richly floal and miii'dc; 

When down I he \a.le I he wood-doyc'H l.ono 

'i'hrillM ill a r'ad< \\i:<>, tender, 
And every rare, elhereal mole 

TnrnM U> a wliij^ed h|»lendor. 

.IiihI. a.H the inyHlJc I'londland . ope, 
l'"a.r up their napphiie jioiial, 

Tail' an the l'a.ireMl.'drcaiii oT Mope, 
Malt' Kodde-.H and hall mortal, 

I .Hce Ihal, lovely j^enillf* ri,",e, 
'I'liat. child ol' Orient, t.rane<*«, 

On whoHc nweei lace (he ^lory lien 
Ol wriid Mell.nic laneieM, — 

'liloriHl heneath wIiohc procreaiil, trcwl 
All eailh yields \\\i jjer HWeetncMH, — 

The violet.'H Kcent, the iohc'm red, 
The, da,liha'H orhed comideleneHH, 



148 



LEGENDtii A.\l> /. ) ' lUCS. 



And vcrdiiivs on Iho myriad hills. 


Kosc thrilled with act ion. or hii^h st rung 


'riio hivatli of her pure dui\ 


al aim. 


Ualli iiui'sod Id lii'c by sparkliui;' rills 


Henealh his j.'wellcd doublcl ! Wliile 


And loliaucd nooks of boauly; 


llic hand 




So warm, so while, and wont to press 


'I'ill liloom and odor. Iilnsli and sonji'. 


ihc palm 


So (ill oarllTs radian! spares. 


In iialpiialinu' clasp of fair sixteen. 


'I'ho fadinu londi i^( sin. or w ron^'. 


(,'ould wield the iH>uderous battle-axe. 


l,t'a\os ulad llic woarii'si faces; 


or Hash 




'I'lie lightuim; iMpicr in Ihe focman's 


And so. ihroiiiili happy sprinji-lido dolls. 


eyes. 


(»'i'r monnl, and tiold. and river. 


Pi'ince of Ihe toiunev and the dance 


Her zephyr's fairy elariou swells. 


alike. 


Her footsteps ii'lamv forovor! 


^^"ar■s lierccr lists had seen his furrovv- 




l.'ss brow 


^ 


I'Mushed red vviih heal of battl(\ beard 
his voice 




ronnxKK 


Shrilled clear beyond tlu> clarii>ns. 


A I'Ai; \ni,i. 1 oi; riii: rniKs. 


monnl and break 
In larkliko .sous; far o'er the nnsts of 


AVuo al the eonri of Asiolf. ihe <;'real 


blo.nl. " 


Ivinu', 


Thron^it victory's caln\er heaven. 


King (»f a realm of tirs, and ley tloes. 


Mixed love and fear. 


(.'old hriiihl liords,and monntainseappi-d 


With love ofttimes preponderant, uii'ded 


w ilh clouds. 


him 


A\'lnMhcrc so loved and lionori-d as Ihe 


Closely as with an atn\ospberc distni'bed 


knichl. 


(>nlv by hints of thunder, ghosts of 


Tlu' \onlhful kni^hi l'\>rinnio '.' Whence 


cloud. 


he eanic. 


Hut K>ve. all love, love in her passionate' 


None knew. n(>r w hoin his kindred: at 


eyes. 


a hound 


l.ove'lwixt Ihe ]iure twin rosebuds of 


lie passed all rivals niov iuu towards tlic 


her monlli. 


lhroU(>, 


l.ovc in Ihe arch of broodiui;-. bcameous 


And siooil liiin-poised above them: yet 


bi'ows. 


with unen 


.\nd I'vcrv wavi'rinu dimide wherein 


J>o sweet it honeyed (Mivy. and sur- 


suules 


IM'isi'd 


At hido-and-seck with sly. mock frovvn- 


'Vhc biiit'n>si railers into eoniplaisanee! 


imjs placed. — 


l.ow-\oiced and delicate-featured, wiih 
.. .1. . .1- 


.Ml love was I'revla. lhom:h a prii\ces5 

^- 1 . . V 


a clicek 
As soft as peach down, or Ihe milden 


sue. 
For this inUvUovvu Kortuniol AViUilT 


dust 


beat 


t^hriui'd in a maiden lily's heart of 


.\nd burned Ium' heart at c:\r\\ soft ijlanco 


lu-arls. 


he jiave. 


Yet a stern will luMil bow like, with Ihe 


Or softer word, albeit as yet unthrillod 


shaft 


Hy answeriuii i^assion I Swiftly tlevv her 


Of somo kiHMi purpose swifilv drawn to 


dreams 


head. 


Hinllikc on balmv winds of fancy 


(.>r launched mierrini; at its lofty mark. 


bi>rue. 



roirri'Nio. 



Ill) 



'J'o lu-i(l;il ^c•:(llll^ ciiiiMiiiiIrd ;iiiil ili \\ liilc l.'ir^i-. Sci.rn's ;i II \ , in lirr IjI hrf's 

\iiir,— I lirnisl, 

Alas! hut Srorii, lli:il Inii.u li;iil liiiki'd ( ImIcIkmI llir switI (Iiciuiict rmlrly, 



mill ,s|iic'il 
III .iiiiliiisli, sliiil ils siiijilcii liolls, iniij 

Imoii-IiI 
Tiiosc! w iii^cd i|rc:iiiis I iiinslixrij lo t'licl li 

and diriid ! 



drau'.'i'd Iht soul 
liilii llic ;;arisli j^larc of i-<)i:iiii(iii|ila<-r 
(.Soon Id lie ill liy liiirror's lurid slarl) 
And so r-oii\iilscd licr IcndiTucss wilji 







"Kind "f 'I realm of (iis, ;nj<l ic y Hoc-, 
Cold 1)1 i^lit ilwPilrt, and inoiinlaiiis <-;i|iiic(l uilli .-IimmIs." 



'I'lial all licrlicinu's.T d collapsed 'ofall 

< rnslicd.as in moi'al carl lii|iial<i-: '■ I )oi 

iii;^ fool," 
Oiilslirickcil the Kiiif,'. " dosi dream 

threat Odin's blood 
<'oiildinix willi \('ins jdclMian '.' I'lU'^i' 

lliy Llioiifilils, 
riivirf(iii(!(l, vile, of sacrilcf^ioiis .sin I 
Mill for this l)oy, our twclvi'inoiilli's 

Jiivifc liiitli raisi'd 
So liii;li, ii jnoiiicnrs jiislici' slialj ciisl 

down 
To fiilhoinlcss dopllis of ruin! " 



Wlicivuillial 
(llar|iiii^ on jiislii'i' slill. tlioirjli jnslirc 

Sl.'pl) 

'I'll!' Kiii'4 ilfcn-cd, " 'I'liis yonlli i''oilii 

nio dies! '' 
So. on a, liriulil sprini,' morn. Ilic kiii'j;lil, 

slooil lip. 
l''roiilin',' llii' royal doomsmcn, willi a 

lacr 
Siililinicd\ i-;din: IIh-v loll' liis liravi'f-y 

(dl. 
His jrwcllcil v<'sl, and kiii'^lil hood's 

golden spurs, 



150 



LEGENDS AM) LYIilCS. 



And l);<n'(l his hoarl tooatoh tl\o arrow \ 

WluMi lit! luMiOiUh thoso rough. ilLsrob- 

iiiji' hands. 
TIh' d(ii>'j<'roii!i, Ivtvd .sv(f»<'»'r, cotfhf 

Ontfwitiur'd <t rlrijin Inauty chaste and 
fair ! 

Tho King, hoholding. star(<>il. and ihon 

sniilod : 
" Thon wanton n)aiK"ai>." said ho. "go 
in noai"oI " 

O (>o!'dial ovos. I ho hrown t>vos and (ho 

Idno. 
Or \o dark oyos. with dooj^s Hko mid- 
night hoavons. 
Whoro nniniaginod woi'lds of thoiight 

and lovo 
^hino starliko. would yo qnonoh your 

gioriotis rays 
li\ tl)o low lovols of Iho livos of nion '.' 
O gracious vsouls of \vou\ou toudor-sw oot . 
Ami hn)\inous with goodnoss. would yo 

soil 
Your nasoout angvl-phu\iag<^ intho slyo 
(>f sordid worldlitioss ? l?o warnod. ho 

warnodi 
Sot not tho frail s\vars of yoiu" rash 

oa\nioo 
lu ros( against groat Natnro's piorooloss 

shiold: 
Strivo t\ot to grasp inonoiH>lios in\jnnv. 
Man's fatod horitago. Wo warnod. ho 

waruodi 
Kor suroly as yon bright sun tlaw ns and 

dios. 
And suiv as N'atuiv. all inuiuuahlo. 
Yoar aft or yoar ooutplotos hor nxystio 

i\nu\d 
Through law's vast orhit. — so yo dos- 

porato Fair. 
Arrayod agait\st thootornal forooof (iod, 
Must fall disoonititod. and liko that 

knight. 
Tho falso Kortunio. rost vour olainis at 

last. 
Not on doft spoils of siniulatod powor. 



Km on Iho soft whitt^ hosont whioh 

onsi>horos 
Tho suorod oharn\s o( porfi>oi woman- 

ho.Hi: 



A rrrn.if r/c/r/.v. 

[SoKXK— Tho ("orri.lor of a Valaco. Pku- 
.soN.s^A youMji KiiijiUt ami hi.s Moutor. 
TiMK — Tho Kouilooiulv Outury.] 

Ml.\TO|{. 

AViiii wh,»t a graoo sho \>assod ns hy 

just now I 
llor dolioato ohiti half raised. h<Mi-ordial 

hrow 
A I'loudloss hoa\o>> of hland honignitiosl 
What ttMuporod lustro too in hor dovo's 

oyos. 
.lust touohod to arohnoss hy tho oyo- 

hrow's ourvo. 
And thoso quiok dintplos whioh tho 

mouth's rosorvo 
Stir and hroak up. as siudit ripplos 

hroak 
Th<^ oool. oloar oalnu\oss of a mountain 

lakol 
A won\an in whom majosty and swool- 

noss 
Ukmd to snoh issnos tM" sorouo oon\ploto- 

itoss. 
That to gazo tM> hor wtM~o a prinoo's 

hooni 
Tho oahn of ovoning. tho largo inMuj^ v>f 

noon. 
Aro hors: soft M.»\ morns molting into 

.Inno. 
Hold uiM snoh tondiM- hmgnishmonis as 

thoso 
Which sto.^p luM- in thai dow-lighl of 

ro]»oso. 
i'hai floats a droan>y hahn around tho 

fnll-hUnvu roso: — 
Atul yot. 'tis \\o\ hor hoaulx. though so 

hright 
(Cloar n>oon-tiro nu\o<l with sm>-tlann>K 

nor tho light. 
Trai»sparoul ohann wo fool so oxqiusito. 



,1 /•'/■: I! /).{/, 

WIhi.Iiv 'ilif'n ('(iiMiniHm'il 11". (I. \vi/,iuil 

Kliir 
r,y ilMiiuii lilV )iir'. 'Ii'< mil onr, nor fill 
< If llif'ir, wInTi'liy wc'ir miiHlcicd, Sir, 

IIIKJ I'llll 
ShlVl'likc' Im'ImIV lire ijolll.lir ..■, Hllcll 

I liiii'"; III! 

I'mI.'IiI JI-. -.|ir|li, '.I ill llirT.''f. ;i '■.f.lii.' 

I liiii". line. 
Sniil I'T I liiiii li'i;ii I inM' III I III' I'liinr 

niniili llllli', 

Mori' iKilrnl yrl I iin iniili'lini'il ;ii I , 
"rwi'i'c viiln III (|ni"-;l ion : yunr wlinli' 

lii'lnts lifiirl , 
llfiiln. Iiludd, Krcrn lM|i".in:^ rruni yon, 

Iji'i'il :inil In '.I'll 
In liiTs, — ii. I.i'irililr |iiivMT, iinil IT 

alniMcd 

linl. Iiy SI. I'cl.cr! '\h nul wile lo liilk 
or yon wclnl woniiin ! Iinii now 1 wal.cli 

ll.M' \V!lll< 

"I'vvixl llif liill lijj;!'!' lilii'M, --Mktc'h a 

liiii vc Kiiii'i' in cvft'y hI,('|), IihI lill lo 

ni<\ 
II li;itli I know nol, vvli;il — ol' covcrl- 

ncHM, 
(''milling, iiiiij cMid iiinpoHcI csin yon 

'I'Ik' |ii('l.(irc 11. Iiiiii!/'. np'.' ;i, lonely 

lock 
Kioni wliicli 11. yonn;.^ Itiilonin !oi;iii| ; hi': 

(lock, 
In I lie -•.Willi. (IcMcrt,: — IIictc'h a Ijivviiy 

li:in.|, 
A ciirveil ;iiii| l;intde(| |i;illiw;iv ol Ioohc 

hmikI, 
W'inilint; iiliovc liini; - IIh- Icmccij n.iin 

intikc ijiin 
lli.s Hliiinlici'oim hcmhchI — lii« f^rcal 

liiovvii cycM Hwiin 
In III' iniKl. ol' (lrc(i.in'<, when elidinj' 

wllh tiiiilc l.rcad 
Korlli {(((III the Ihorn-lrccH, o'er IiIh 

nodding; licid, 
MovcM ii, lilhc-liodied piiiil her; — (f iod ! 

how fair 
The licaHf, Ih, willi her moony hjioI led 

tiair. 



/•/("rii:/'!. ir.l 

,\||.| ||.| ilell de-.ell. piicei.;!) one h|ej,|h 

more' 

And yoiill hell. .Id I he -.poiiliic' ol fre^h 
!'ole, 

Ijciiil hlood I h;il''-. hnniJinl ejin ii(|ij;lil 

nil \ e ill III now '' 
irmi ' Ihe :..h;iip ei;iel',le of ;i, hlll^lcd 

hoii'di, 
Wheliee (lie>, ;i lillL'.e lllll e;i|_de, ric.llilie 
< )'(•!' t lie hoy'K forchc'id \\\^: \i\.".\ hreiull Ik 

of wine, 
,\nd «vvecpln(^ fiH ii liiilf Mcen mIukIc, 

'I wmild Keeiii. 

I'.elwisl hi^ HiilllJed Hpiiil. iind ll« 

dieiiipi : 
lie"". roiC;ed! e;,pie4 hh; dilllKcrl lli fl 

hound 
l,eapK iiil.o ftafcly where the low-«f't. 

i^roniid 
Ih liiitl.rcK.'^ed 'iieiiili two i^ia.nl. cnif/K 

(licrchy 
(Now hark yc! 'tin no piiimed piiantawy, 
'I'IiIm Mcene. niy AiimIcim! Inil all'.'* t.l'dc 

and clear 
jjid'ore nie, Ihoncih full many a weary 

year 
ll,i« wa.xcd ami waned hIiicc then): 
,My mcaiiiiij/ prithee '/ fooliHli youth, hc- 

warcl 
'lliere'H l,rea.clicry link in;/ in Ihe j^ay 

parl.crrc, 
A", in Ihe hoary dc«crl,'« KilcnlncHM, 
And dieanm wit.li daii(/''i', death per- 

chaiicir heliind, 
,Ma.y hill yoniij/ .^lecpciM in (he perfumed 

wind, 
Which hardly liflM the linic^l friianl. 

Irec.H 

11 lovH with coyly, of a woKian'M 

hair: 
Our ".lernc-fl fale^ have ri'^'.cn in forinft a» 

fair. 
Ah — let. IIH Kay for lack of simile--., — 
A», Ikwh, who hcndw now with hiicIi 

(^ra.cioiiH ca.Kc, 
O'er her rich (.iilip-hcdH! 

Were I the l.iid, 
Wirtlhon the f.hephcrd Aii.';|cm of my 



i:,ii i.i:(ii:xi>s Axn /.vmcs. 

(Ami ihal llu>uliasl not lnwiUfiu'd. l<v\\ . /)/,'//'■ /7 V(," 

unsliiri-il 

In clrai'. ;»Un'it lliou lu'i-irst in>i \\a\ no 1 liAVK sotlloil ;U last in a sonil>n' nook. 

|.al<'l. In ihc tar-olV hoarl (>t' ilu' Norland 

What wotiKl iiau- wisdom whisin-r, now hills, 

'tis dout'. riu-rc's a dark |iii\«> t'orosi lu-t'oii' my 

M\ warniuu', and ih\ da\ dioam in ilu- uaU's. 

sun'.' And behind is the \oico ot' rills 

W hal ! w h\ . hor niandalc's i>lain : I hear That nuuinui' all dav, and n\nrmin' all 

hiT sa> . nielli . 

• \ onnu Kni^hl I to liorsol Icaxo iho I'hronuh the (ani;lod t'opsfs iiiccn and 

(^hiccn's (our! tv>-da>I""" iono, 

^ I WlnMo. foMchod in the depths ol' the 

shadowy Icaxos. 

fliy ir (/," \ / \ (,-, 'ho wo(>d dove ntakt's her nu>an, 

IVvni-Nri.! I >et may piotve the lind ^,^ ,,,,,„,. j^ ., ^.,,^,,^. .j^^.j^.,,, .,„,, ,,,„.„_ 

Wheivwilhaivsh.vwdly -iitlod round ^vi,,^ ,,^,,„,^. ^^.,„^ ,,„,, ^^j,,, ,.,„„,hlinjr 

The snhlle seen-tsof his nund; tloors 

A dark, miwholesomeeoreisl.onnd ^,„, ,,„, i.,„^lar w inds their ontranee 

Terehanee withiit ill Sir, yon see, t'oi<v> 

Men are not what they .XV. m lobe! •riuon-h the eobweMvd panes and 

doors. 



A eaiidid mieii atid plansible tonuiiel 
A bearinii ealmlv tfank and fair. 



I ean hardlv sa\ that a root' is n\ine. 



ThoteiUM'twouUl seem) by pity wrnu-. '•'>"' ^^ '"-">-"'-'- '>'>^ uionntaiit tempest.^ 

.VII those are his, bnl still, beware! "^''• 

A something St rattjiv. false, .tube-ot ^ ''*''"-'" '^ I'>"""'>' ""^'"-'' *"^ eou.ttles.. 



i>t' virtue, whispers, trust him ni>t : '*" ^' 

, .,_, ,,. ,,! , .,, , .1. ,1 ,.,, ,„ W ide oi>en to air and sk;t>sl 

l»ut yesterday, his tnask (I ki\ow ' 

lie wears one), for a momeut's spaee. 

1., ,,,„., ,., . 1 ,»v ,,. 1 ,„ ii-i 1, a ,., \hl Natme alone keeps a wholesome 

l>\ ehane(> diopped »ut ;uid switt Iselow ' 

The smile just waniui;on his faee. mit>u. 

1 eau-ht a look. Hashed sudden, keen »>' "'*' '"'^''^' '*'' ^> "^Mualor wildly baiv. 

As liuhtni,.- whiel. he deemed unseen. •^">' ' *''-'^^ so.uetimes from her hounte- 

oils breast 

1 will not i»anse to tell thee what Krief Uilms for the heart's despair; 

That look betraye»l! eiUMisi'li I think. .\ll /iitimdi frii-nds that were lo\al have 

Vo smite the spirit eold and hot. dit>d. 

Ky turns, and make luie inly shrink ' And the false and treaeherons only 

Kroiii ev>ntaet with a soul that kee\>s si.ay, 

Sueli w ild-tir(> smoulderiuji in its deeps: To poison the soul with their serpent 

v^o fritMid, be Wiunedl he is not one tongues 

Thy youth should trust, for all his In my fortune's didl decay! 

smiles. 

Frank l\uvheads. gi'iiial as the sun. Histaut and dim in the porishiug past 

May hide a lliousaiul tivaehorous wilos. (Jrow the jo\s that made its sprinsi'time 
.Villi tones, like musie's honeyed tlow. sweet. 

.May work ((iod knows!) the bitteivsl And the last of the savinu angels — 

woe! Hope - 



s()\\/'!'rs. 



158 



ll.llll s|illlll<'il |||\ liil uilli liri' sliililli" 'I'o lili". ;iliil li>\i', IIS nil iliiliiiii'liil <^;iii| 

Iri'l : \ I liili'.'. <li\ iiic, III liiii' iiiilii;ii'iil;il)' 

\ iiiImI iiiii I . ill Ml I, ;iiiil il liivr siii'\ ivi'H, uml li : 



lli'i lip, il is p;ili', ;iiiil Iht ryes I'ltriol'll 
A'. Immiiis 111' Ihr wiiiiiiii; HllirH llllir 
iiii'll 

I II ;i rliillijril W illirl'N IIHil II. 



Iir rliMI'i'sl , ijr.i iiivsl |];illl|r viwil li) 
IIKIII 
II llirsc, mil' hilJiT i|;i\s, lin-l liililis WHS 
Ills, 



I liiivc liifl my full' iis II iiiiiii .liiiiilil II I ' Willi iiisliiii'i wliirli ;il< iliij lii'iii^ 

\V'lliit> oiiiiiol. 1)1- vitli(|iii.sliril. iiui {Mil I him liliv : 

llsjljl', A II li II' III' \ irU ril ;i . iilir lull",, liimiiioiis 

I li:i\ I' sl ri\ I'll Willi s|iii il Mini turcf li 

si rill 
lis nisiiili'; ;iliil mi"lil \ I iilr ; 
Kill llir '^iiillikr IH-IM', illlii llli' iliill will, 
riii'S Ui'lr 111)1 ;.',i:ililri| In mr, I say. 

Ami I hricrorc ,i wiiil' on jui iiiif^ry si'ii, 
I Jim (IrilliiiH:, ili'll'liii},' uAviiy ! 



\\I ilril'l iii^, anil ilrilliii'^, ami iliiriiii", 

away, 
Nnl a. Iia.iiil iiiiraisril, iinr a, riy Inraiil; 
Ami ImarsiT I In- \ nii'i' nl' Ihr slniin w iml 

swrlls, 
\ml ilaiUiT Ihr Willi iii''hl shailr: 
Thrrr air liiraUrrs alirail llial will niisli 

mr SI Mil I, 
lluU llllirh, () Coil! ill. Ihy irralMlrs 

l.rar! 
I mar\rl if snmr \\ linr, in hravm or 

hrll, 
'I'llis lidtilr 111' Iilr mows clrarl 



so^^/■:rs. 

l.limir III NT. 

•'I.i'IkIi IIiiiiI liu-m iTc.ri/lliiiii/ : I alrlirM 

lliii Hiiiiiiy hIiIi^ III iivrrylliliiK'. iiiiil rxrr|il. a 
I'rw |iiili>iiilriil mil l|iiillili'H llmls I'Vi'iylliliiK 
licmilirtil." -- lll';.MfV ('It Mill KuiiiNsiiN. 

Dksi'i rio III isforl Mill', pfucily, li h- dra ill i 
Of simplrsl jllslirr In his lirarl allil 

hrain. 
'I'llis L;ra<!i()ii.s itpliiniHi. livrd mil in vain; 
Ifiillicr, h(^ iiiiidc a parlial llravni ol 

i'iarlh: 
l''nr w lial- iir'iT III piiir and ro/dial hirlii 



pla n 
Wlinrin (iiid's |ii\r and wisdnm nirri, 
ami kiss, 

His siilr hia\r rrrril, Ihr nrril Sailiari- 

hiii! 

SDI'l. \l»V A Nf'KM. 

Ill , whii wilh Irivriil loil and will aiis- 

Irrr, 
Mis iiinalr I'lircrs and hi"li lai'iillirs 
|)r\r|iips r\rr, willi lii'iii aim, and wine, 
Mr '/;//// krrps his spiriliial viHJdii I'lcar; 
'I'll him raiih's I rrarlirriiiis sliadiiWH 

sliil'l and \rrr 

l.ikr iillr misis o'rirriiwilili", willdlrsH 
skirs, 

Wlirir I hriiiinh nil I imrs III piii"rd and 

pray rrllll ryrs, 
'I'lir slra-dlasl. hra.vrlis srrin lirr!<iillili;i; 

ralm and nrar: 
Slill ii'rr lil'r's ni'^z'^rd hri'jhls, wilh iiiaaiy 

a slip. 
And painlnl pause lir jniiriirys, and sad 

Tail. 
'I'liwaid ilralh's dark siralld, waslird hy 

a mysl ir sra ; 
'I'lirrr hrr wnrii rahlr slrailiili;.;' In In- 

Irrr, 

I Ir srrs, and en I ITS l''ail h's ma jrsl ir ship, 
'I'd sail — ir/ini'ir Ihr i-n'n-c nf d'nd nun/ 
mil ! 

( MUll.IN \. 

'I'liA r fair y"iiii," liind wliidi ;;av(; iiii! 

hirlli JM dead ! 
I,(isl as a, fallen slai' lliaf ipiiveriii!', dii^H 



111 Itiidy nr sdiil dawned nil him. Inwa- Down Ihr pair palliway ni aiilnmiial 
fain skies. 



154 



7./'.'(;/;.V/)S j.\7> /. )7.7(\s\ 



A v;miu' I'ainI i-aili;uii'(- IlicktM-inu where 

ii tied: 
All >he halh w i-.m-iil . all sh,. halli 

(•himieil or said, 
Ih'r ,>;\)lilon t'loniience. Ium- hiuh oiuprisi^ 
>V reeked, on lln> laiiuiiid sluu'e of Let lie 

lies, 
\\liile eold (>li|i\ion \eils her pileoiis 

head:* 
Omolhei! lo\ ed and lo\ eliesl I dehoiiair 
As some hra\(> tiueeu of am it|Ue eiii\ 

alries. 
'I'h\ heauly's hlasled like lh\ desolalo 

eoasis : 
Where now lh\ hi^lroiis form, lh\ shin- 

iiii; hair '.' 
W'lieri' ihy liriiihl preseuee, ihiiie impe- 
rial e>es ■.' 
IjOsI in (liiii shadows of ihe realm of 

(Jhoslsl 

SONNK r. 

In yonder jii'iin, fnnereal foresl li<'s 

A foni lauoon, o'erlihned by dust and 

slime. 
Hidden and uh;isil\ . like a ihonuhl of 

erime 
In sonie stern soni kept si'eret fi'om 

men's eyes: 
l>nl if perehanee a healthfnl l>reiv.e 

shonUl ris(\ 
And i>art those slilliim l>oni;hs, sweet 

morninii's prime, 
Ai\d the tair tlnsh of evening's eordial 

elime. 
K'etleei thei'ein I he ealmh ^lorions sklos: 



* 'rhismaj'boostooineil an i.viijiiifiMtion : but 
roivllv it is tlio sol>of and iiiolanolioly truth, 
Tlio fsvnio of tlio j-iv.'tt statosmoii and orators, 
for ox!nui>lo. who onoo tlourislioil in Soutli 
(■iU'oliu.-i, and ntmlo lior iianio illustrious from 
oiu> oiui i>f tlu> I'uiou to tho other, is fast bt^ 
coiiiin};' a mere sl\;ulo\\ y tradition, AVitli a 
single eveeptioii. tlieir works liave never been 
follevted tor jiulilii-ation, nor have tlieir lives 
been written, iniloss in tho most fra.umontary 
and imporl'oot fashion. The period duriu,sj 
whieh those thiuj>>i mijjlit have boon rij;htly 
done has forovor passed. 



Is'i so with man? holds not llit> dark- 
ened hreast. 

Tnrhid. eoiiiipt. o'erL^rown by worldli- 
ness, 

()ne little spot whereon lo\e's snnle n\ay 
rest •.' 

1,0 1 a pnrt" impulse breathes, the sin- 
elowds jiart. 

The urief-delilements melt in hope- that 
bless. 

And pour ( iod's i|niekeni\iu sunshine on 
the heart I 



(»/)/■ 10 SI. It:/'. 

r>i:M>M> the sunst-t, and iheamliersea 
'To the lone depths of I'.ther, eold and 

bare, 
'I'liy intlneiu-e. soul of all tfan(\uillity, 
llnllows llu' earth and awes the ri>verent 

air; 
\ On lanuhiuL; rivulet (piells its silvery 

t uue. 
The pines, liki' priesilx wati'hers tall and 

urim. 
Stand mnle, auainst Ihe pensivt' twi- 

liiiht (lini, 
l>reathh>ss to hail the advent of tli<> 

moon: 
l''roin the white beaeh the oeean tails 

aw;iv 
(\>\lv. and with a thiiU: the sea-birds 

dart 
(ihostlike from out the distanee. and 

dopaH 

Thus, over their jjeuius and jiorformanoos, as 
over their native State. — tho Carolina t>f old. 
— oblivion, day by day. is more d.-irkly jiather- 
insj. If elements of a now politie.-il birth exist 
in that unl\>rtun;ito sootion, they nro iioir 
hopelessly oonfnseii and ohaotlo! 

While tho Past reeodos. boeominjj uvi>u>ontly 
i\>ore uhostly and phantasmal, Ihe l''utnre is 
vvr.appod in thiek elouds andd.arkness! Where, 
indeed, is the prophet or soil of .h piMphot who 
ean prediot tho n.atvu'oof ll\at now pidity dos- 
lined to rise from (he old instilutiens and the 
detnnet eiv ili.'.'Uion '.' 



()l>l<: 'I'D SLI'.FJ'. 



I .v. 



Willi a .t,'r';iy (led iicss, iiioaniiii; lln' dcail 

ila\: 
I'lir W inns nf .SiliMKT ()\ rrroliliiii; spacr, 
Drooj) witli dusk uiaiKlnir- lidiii lln' 

llCllVCIlly S|rr|), 

And I lii-()ii,i,'li tlic stilliK'HS f:;lcaiMs Miy 
stiirr-y fiu-c, 
Scri'iicsl, Aii^i'l — Slcc](! 

(oiili'I woo Mil' lii'tf, aiiiiil llii'sc (loucry 

cliaiiiis, 
llrratlii- on iriy ryi'li<ls; press lliy oiloi- 

(ilis lips 
Close lo iiiiiir own, rnw real lie iric in 

lliini- arms. 
Ami ilouti niv spiril wilii liiy swcrt, 

.■.■lips,:; 
\o (iri'anis! no iln-juiis! kfcp lia(l< lii<' 

motley tlironi^, — 
For sndi are KJnled round \villi '^liaslly 

mJLjlit, 
And sinLC '"^v Imrdens of despondeni 

sonLT. 
I)eel<cd in I lie moi-kefy oi' a losi de- 

li-lil: 
I ask oliliv ion's halsaml llie nnile peace 
Toned to. still hi'eatlniiiis, and t he ;;cn- 

I lest sii,'lis. 
Not, iiiMsie woven of raiest liaiMioiii(!S 
< 'oiild yi(dd me sueji elysium of r(!lea.S(^" 
The tones of earl li are \sea:iness, — not, 

onl\ 
'.Mill the loud marl, and in the walks of 

tia.le. 
T.I It wlK'ie the nioim lain (ietiius l.roo<|r||i 

lonely, 
In the cool piilsini; of Ihi; sylvan shade; 
Tln'n, hea,'- me far into I hy noiseless land, 
Nniroiind me with thy silenee. deep on 
d(!ep, 
lentil serene I stand 
Close by a duskier eonntry, ami more 

t^raiid. 
Mysterious solitude. Mian thine, O Mei].! 

As he whose veins a feverf)us frenzy 

imrns. 
Whose life-blood with(;rs in the hery 

droii'dit. 



l''eehly, and with a. lanvnid loii'_;ing, 

I inns 
To the s|iriii'^ hri'e/.es 'jat iMTiii'j, Irom the, 

South. 
So, feebly, and with languid lon'^in;^, I 
Turn to thv wished Nepeiit he, and ini- 

plore 

'JMie, f^'oldell dimness, t he pilipilicil 'jlodiii 

Which liaiuil lli\ pop|iiri| ic;ihii, ajid 

make I he shore 
< )f t by dominion balmy wit h all bloom : 
III the clear f^ciilfs <d' thy seriiii- profound, 
Worn passions sink to <|uiet. sorrows 

pause. 
Suddenly faintiu',,^ to still-breathed 

rest; 
Thou own'sl a, ma'jieal almos|ihere, 

\\ llieji awes 

The memories seel liin'..; in the turbulent 

bre;|s| ; 

Which mullliii'j up t lie sbar|iiiess of all 

sound 
Of mortal lamentation. solc;ly beai's 
The silvery minor loniii'_; of our woe, 
All mellowed to barnionioiis iiiider- 

llou, 
Soft, as the sad farewells of dyinj^ 

years, — 
Lulling as sunset showers that veil the 

west, 

And sweet as Love's last tears 
When o\erw'<'llin!^ hearts do nuilidy 

weep: 
Oi^riefsl () wailiii'.,'s! your' tempest iioiis 

nia<liress, 
M(!rf;e,d in a r(!f^al ipiieiuile of sadness, 
Wins a slran^e .ylory by the streams of 

sleep': 

Then woo nie here amid those (lower-y 
charms. 

I'.realhe on my i-yeljds, jiress thy odor- 
ous li|is, 

Close to mi ire own, — enfold me in t bine 
arms. 

And "loud nry spirit with thy sweet 
eclipse ; 

And while IVoirr wauiir;^ dejii h lo d<-ptlr 
I fall. 



loG J.KdlX/'S AM> l.Yh'ICS. 

l»,-un lipsin- to ilu- uluh.M ,loi.ll» of ii,>r/s t\/> \i/uoi;irs 

all, 

'I'ill wan l'^>l;;^■ll'ullu■^s ohsrtu'cly stoal- tU i; lu'jx's in \ ouih arc liUi- tho-»" roso- 

in>;, ale shadow ,s 

( r<'<'i>s likcan incanialion on ilu>sonl. «"ast by iho suuliuht on iho ilow\ ^rass 

Anil o'er Ihc slow cMi ol ni\ consi'itins When litsi tho fair morn opo lior sap- 
life \Au\\' ovi's; 

l»i<'> ilio Ihiu Ihish of llu" la-i ron-xions riu'\ sccni ui;;anlii' and yot s;ratvful 

fi'i'linu, shailos. 

And liU<> aborliviMliundvM', tht> dull roll l\>Uilu'>l w itl( bright cidoi'. As our snn 
Of suUou passions I'bbs far, faraway, — of life 

(> Anmdl loos<> till' (holds wliiih cliug IJisi's towards uun'idiau, K'ss aud less 

tostiift-, (5ro\v I ho bright tiviiuiKms shaiKnvs, (ill 
,Si>\<'r tlu' gossanu'i- bondam" of my at last, 

i>ioath, hi the hot dusi and noontidr of our da> , 

And U't in<' i>ass mMUl\ as winds in Thoy gliutnu'r to blank nothingness, 

Ma\. Again, 

From the dim realm whieh owns iliy That gratid elimaelerie i>assetl, the shad- 
shadowy sway, owsgle;<m 

To thy dixiner sleep, «> saered death I l?riglit still, perehanco (if our past d(>eds 

Iv i«uro). — 

- — ♦ — liriiiht stilL I'ttt ttll rtrcrtml' Hiixtirnr^l 

I hoy i>oinl. 

>^<'^''- i.ongthetuug and lenglheuiug i>\er 
{\\ lo he tow;u\l lltodawn; 

1>\ the sea. tho .soa I ''"'''' lu'pes have then grow n memories. 
Whilo a bravo uor"\v<>sior"s blowing. whi>so slra>»go life 

With a swirl on tho loo, IVepeus and (Kvpeiis as the sunset dies. 
Of i'K»uil-foam fr(>e. 
A«>d a spring-tide dot>ply llowingl ♦ 

With Iho low moon ivd aud l;irge. 

(Vor tho tliishod hori/.on's marge. ll//»/>A./.7.v,s /.•(< f, 

.\ud a little pink baud in mine. 
t>n the sands in the louu mooushiisel 



Al •sTliAl.lAN. 



ll"li<> uioideiils of ilio folUwviujS sK«>toU will 
t>e I'euiiil ill ••'riio Kooolloolious v>f (iootVroy 
llainlyii," l>\ lloiiry Kiu,y.>iloy.l 



i>: to be 

1>\ the sea, the sea I 

With the wiinl full west aud dying, •"A iioijsk among-sl ton thousand! on 

With a single star tho vorgo. 

l>'er tho )\usty bar. I'ho oxiivmost vorgt> of o«|niiu> life ho 

And tho dim wavos dreamily sighingl stands; 

Ol to bo thoiv. but thorol Vet mark hisaetion.as those wild yoimg 

With u»y swtvt lovo ueslliuu near! eolts 

IS'oar. uoar. (ill her heart-thn>bs blend Froed fi\>u\ (ho s(ook-yanl galK>p vnIuu- 

with mine. uying up; 

Thro\igh (ho balmy hush of the night's See lu>w ho ti\>ts towards them. — noso 

doolino. in air. 

On tho glimmering beaeh. in tho soft Tail an-hod. ami his still siuowy logs 

stnr-shinol out-thn>wu 



i\ //>/>/: /:/\'s iiACh:. 



ir,7 



111 Killliilit. Ki'iicc IhIimi' liiiii! A Imiivi' 

brasi 
As cvci' spur I llic iiMiiii hiinl, ;iy, ami 

llinrc, 

I Ic lioir II II' 1)1 ICC, - SI id I Willi Is lull smile 

llic iMllll, 



'I'lic crmvicl linnlcs riiiiii near Van Dlc- 

iiicii. Irccil 
r.y I'lircc nr Iraiul, .\vc|,l, |iki. a iilonil 

icij lire, 
liilaiiij Iripiii hcacji h, iiiniiiila in. Innl mi 

raiil 



I'llic Diilci liii;',, wliilc \i\ii| niciiiniy A imI ra |.iiic : licnil , u' I li' Idwi'sI jiil . I licy 



uakcs, 
l.'ci'allin;^ now. Ilic passion ami llic 

pain. 
lie bore nic cincc Iroin carllily licll lo 

licavdi I 

"Til.' Hi-hl, or fini' ol.l Wiihlcrin (lliat's 

Ills nainc. 
CailKlit. from a piali. llic lopinosl riicecd 

peak 
Of lall Moiml W'iilileiin, lowcrint,' lo 

llie Noilli 
Most like, a slceil'H licail. willi lull no. 

IrilH hlovvii, 
Ami eaiH prii'ked up), — Hie sit;lil, of 

W'iilderiii lirineH 
'I'lial. (lay of days licfore me, whose 

Hl,ra-iiL,'e lioiirs 
< If fear and an^nisli, cie llic siinsci, 

eliail''ed 



spared 
Nor scs, nor a^c, nni' infancy ; ihc \iil 

liirc 
I'olloucd llicir Irack, and a I. lack smoke 

like IicII'h 
llim^' ils loill reek above eaeli iionic 

aci'iirscd, 
Sackeil by llieir i^reed, or lavished by 

Ihcir liisl. 
'I'licir eri s were monslroiis, wciril, 

niiMl Icrahlc, 
Nol lo he liinli'd, sa\e in awc-slrnck 

u liiHper.s 
llroppcd by ilark liearl hslones, far froni 

maidens' cars. 
In llic hjaiik sileiil miilni:dil ' all Ihc 

land 
Uprose to seek, conrroiil and dci'linale 
'i'liese devils spawned ol Topbci ; hiil, 

llieir hands 

To hoiirsof such eonlcnl and lull \eincd At Ihc lirHl, bruit id' battle, the first dant,' 
.joy. Of sabres eirdiii^ lionesi, loins, and 

champ 
or lioi-c I, ils hejil l,y niaiiiv hand , Ihal 

hiirncd 
'i'o niiilc llicni, hip ;,nd Ihii^h, Med, 

disappeared. 



y\s ilciiveti can "ivc our morlal live. ImI 
once. 

'• Well, lier<'"sllic slory: While yon bnsh- 

lircH sweep 
'Che distant raiii^es, and I he river's voice And cronchr'd in liidin^'. w licresoe'er 1 1 



I'ipes a thin licjilc iJiroiiLdi llie hearl of 

dron-lil, 
While the re. I liea\cn like some hn^'c 

caldron'-. lo|) 
Seems with the lical a simmcrili;,', hettcr 

far 
III place of ridiiiLC fill "^'aiiisf smdi a. sini, 



earth, 
l!y wave and hill side, forest, and hle.ak 

tarn. 
Vouchsafed ii, shield I hem : a . the lime 

rollc.l .,n. 
Our fears ercw li^dilcr, and all dread vva.H 

'piellcd. 



Here In fhesafe veraiida'sf)owerv<,'!oom, j When on a mornine, 'mid Iheonlmosl, 



To play the dwailish llonier to a son;,', 
Whereof myself am hero : 

" Two decades 



reefs 

Of roiii^h ( ape I Willing;, onr chief herds- 
man tonnd 
The carcass of a, liii;^e boat overt iirneil, 
Have [lasHcd since that w ild aiiinmn time All sloven, and firmly wedged iMdvvocu 



wlicn last 



the jaws 



lo8 LEGENDS AND LYRICS 



(>f monster I'ocks, w licrcby tlirct' lunlit's At dcxw dawiiiiiii', — on tliis iniuvi'lldus 

la>. luorn. 

Splasliinn and ^iwglinu in the I'l'llucnt 1, with four I'uniradcs. in this sclt'-sanu' 

titles. siH.l, 

Well know n as corses of three desjtefate W'atelu'd the lair scene, and draid; the 

men. ■'^l'i>'> airs. 

'I'iie ontlaws" leadiTs; thcreuium "twas 'I'lial held a snhller spirit than onr wine, 

deemed. — Anil talked and huii^hed. and ninsed in 

And all ninst own with fairest likelihood, i idleness. 

That lihittcd by their veiiiicauce, or ! A\'ca\in^ \a^ne faniaes. as oni' V'l'>'- 

spnired on w reaths cnrled 

Ux hopes of lapine, iieckoniiii;- othcf- l''antastic, in the snnli^ht I 1. with 

w here. — head 

The whole fonl crew endiarkins;-, had Thrown hack, and cushioned snni;ly, 

lieen sei/.ed and with eyes 

ll\ w ind and wave, (Jod's execntionei's. Iident on one i;i-otes(ine ami cnrions 

The pitiless doomsnieu of the wiath of clond, 

lleaxcii, — I'ntVed npwai'd, that now seemed to 

.Vnd so. ernshed ont of heini;-. and ] lake the shape 

made less I Of a Dntch tnlip. now a Tnrk"s face 

'Phan the \ilc seawci'd dahhlinL; in the tojipcd 

surf. r.y folds on folds of tnihan limilless. — 

Heard snddenly. jnst as the clock 

•■ Thenceforih. onr canlion cooled; ehimi'd one. 

sa\i' here and there. To melt in inusleal I'chocs np the hills. 

\l critical mountain-passes, or linu' (^)nick footsteps on the uravcllcd i)ath 

ca\ e>. w itliont . — 

And slu'ltcred inlets of the wild south- Step> of I he coni'icrs of ealannty, — 

west. ISo my heart told me. ere with 

?So sentinels watched; and whefcfore i lilanched cciiards. 

shonhl they watch '.' Two stalwart herdsnu'ii on om- thi'csh- 

The storm had threatened, lnoken and ] old paused, 

waspassi'dl I Panting, with lips that writhed, and 

1 awful eyes; 

"So. in la'e aninnui. — 'twas a mar- A lu'eath's space in each i>thei''s eyt's we 

\cllons morn, uiai-cil. 

With hrci'/.es fi'om the calm snow -rixcr Then, swift as intefchan^e of li^htninu' 

home thrusts 

'I'hat touched the air. and stirred it into In deailly comhat. (|nestion and reply 

tlu'ills. Clashed sharply, 'Wliatl the Kan-ei-s'.'' 

M\steiions and nn'smcric. a luiulu mist ' A\. liy llea\enl 

l.appin- the landscape like a golden And loosed in force. — the hell-hounds! " 

trance. " Whither hound ".' " 

Swathing the hilltops with fantastic 1 stammered, hoarsely. ' Hound." the 

vi'ils, elder saiil. 

And o'ev tin- moorland-ocean ([uivering 'Sonthwardl — four .stations had tlu'y 

linht ^ sacked and buint. 

As gossiinier threads drawn ilow ii the And now. ilrnuk, furious ' but i 

forest aisles slopped to hear 



w in hi: HIS s hack. i5«j 



No more; witli hooininL; iIhiihIit in Hissing willi i'oiiiiilikc iioiso when 

iiiiiic curs, piTsscij Mild iiicriTi! 

Anil Ijlotjil-fliislicd eyes, i iiisIiimI I<> I'.\ IIkiI keen hiad and ticry-t-i"t'Slc(I 

WiddiTJu's >\i\r, IdMII I 

Drew li.-iit liic uirlli>. ii|i'4.il licivd niiK 

iiiid i-ciii. ■■'i'iie l()iicl\ slic]dici-d l;ii;i i-diaii oil llie 
And sprang to horse ere yrl our ia^iuaid iilaiiis. 

frl(Mids, Walrlijii'j, his sjici'ii 11ii-oiil;Ii laiii^iiid 
Now (ro()])ing from llic i^rmi \ iTaiiihi's lialf-sliiil eyes. 

sliadc, I,ookcd up. and iiiarvcilcd, as we passed 
( oiild dream of aclimi I liiiii ii\ . 

'riiiiikiim- perejiaiifc il. was a nlorioiis 
" Lo\ e liad wiiiu'ed my will. lliiiiL;. 

.For to tlie soiilliward. fair (iaroopiia. So dressed, so liooled, so Ciipiirisoiied, 

iield 'I'd ride siudi l>rii;iit 1)lood-eoiirsers unto 
3iy all of hope. life. ]iassi()ii : she whose dealll! 

iiair 'I"w o suii-hlaeked natives, slumheriiri in 
(Its tiniest, strand of wa\iiiu. wileli-like the grass. 

golil) .lust rose hetinies to 'sca])e I lie trampling 
Had caught, my liearl. eiii wined, ami hoofs, 

hound il fast. And hurled hot curses at me as I sped: 

As 'Iwcrc^ sonii' sweet enehanliiii-ni"- While here and I hen. the I imid kaiiga- 

hca\('iily net I ron 

Uhuidereil alhwarl the mole-hilK. and 
" I only ga\(' a liaiid-wa\e in farew-eli. in piift^ 

Shot hy, and o'er the endless iiioorland < )f sleainy diist-eloiul Nanished like a 

swept mote! 

( JMidless it. seemed, as those weird. 

in{>asiirel(!ss jilains. ■•< inward, si ill on ward, onward, onward 
Whii'li in some night niar<' vision, stretcli si ill I 

and stretch And lol thank Heaven. Die mighty Or- 
Towards infhiity!) like some lone ship gau hill. 

O'er wastes of saillcss waters: now. ;i Thai seemed a dim hlueelondlel at the 

pine. start. 

The lieacoii pine gigantic, v\liose grim ll.i iii;s in aerial. Ililted elilfs aloft. 

crown And si ill a^ lliidiiL;li ihe long. Iiiv\- glacis 
Signals the far land-mariner from home. 

out lleiiealli the gorge home ever al wild 
< .aunt l)oul<lers of the gray-hacked Organ s]ii'ed. 

liill, I saw III"' mateless nioiinlaiii eagle wheel 

Hose on my siglit, a mistlike, wavering IJey(md the stark height's lopinosl piii- 

orh, naele; 

The while, still onward, onward, on- I heard his shriek of rage and raviii<lie 

ward still. Deep down the desolale dells, as far he- 
W'ilh motif)!! wingc'd. clastic, cipiahle. hind 

I'.ravc AVi(hIe!-in cleaved Wn: air lidi's. I lefl Hie gorue and far hejore swept 

tossed aside Another ]ilain, Irei'-hoidered now. ami 
Tlie winds as waves their swift, inxisihle. hound 

breasts, I'.v the deal- i-ivci- uui'uling o"(;i' its hed. 



160 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



"By this, my panting, but unconquered 

steed 
ilail tliiown liis small head backwanl, 

and his breath 
'I'lii'oiinh the red nostrils burs! iii laliortnl 

siL:;hs; 
1 bent above his oiitsti-etehed neck. 1 

tlirew 
My <iui\('riiiu- arms about him, nuuiuur- 

ing low. 
' (iood horse! brave heart! a little longer 

hear 
The strain, thetra\ail; and theneet'oi'th 

for thee 
I-'ree pastures all thy days, till death 

shall come! 
Ah, many and many a liuie, my noble 

bay. 
Hi r lily hauil hath wandered through 

thy mane. 
Patted thy rainbow lu'ck, ami brought 

thee ears 
Of daiidiest corn from out the farm- 
house loft, — 
Help, help, to save her ni)\v!' 

•• ril vow the brute 
Heard me and eompreheuded what he 

heard! 
lie sho()k liis ]i|-oud <'rest madl>, and liis 

eye 
rurue(i for a moment sideways. Hashed 

in min<' 
A lightning gleam, whose tiery language 

said, 
■ 1 know my lineage, will not shame my 

sire. 
.M\' sire, \\\w rushed triunqihant "twixt 

the tlags. 
And frenzied Ihonsauds, when on K{)som 

downs 
Areturus won the Derby ! — no, noi' 

shame 
.My grauddam, whose elt>an body, half 

enwrought 
Of ail', half lire, through swirls of desert 

sand 
BoH' Shiek .Midallah headlong on his 

prey!" 



"At lastcame forest shadows, and the 

road 
Winding through bush and bracken, and 

at last 
The hoarse stream rund)ling o'er its 

(juartz-sown crags. 

"No, no! stanch Widderin! pause not 

now to drink; 
\n hour hence, and thy dainty nose 

shall dip 
In richest Mine, poured jubilaidly forth 
To (pieuch thy thirst, my beauty! liut 

press ou, 
Xoi- heed these sparkling waters. (;od! 

my brain's 
Ou tire once more! an instant tells me 

all: 
All! — life or death, — salvation or <le- 

spair! — 
For yonder, o'er the wild grass-matted 

slojie 
'{'he house stands, or it stood but yester- 
day. 

" A Titan ci'y of inarticulate joy 

I raised, as calm and peacefid in the sun. 

Shone the fair cottage, and the garden- 
close. 

Wherein, white-robed, nueouscious. sat. 
my Love 

Lilting a low song to the birds and flow- 
ers . 

She heard the hoof-strokes, saw me. 
stai-tcd up. 

And with her l)lne eyes wider than their 
wout. 

■Vnd i-osy lips half tremulous, rushed to 
meet 

.\n,l greet me sw iftly. • Up. dear Love! ' 
I cried, 

• The Convicts, the Uush-llangers! — let 
us tly ! ' 

.\h, then and thci'i' you should have seen 
her, friend. 

My nob]<' beauteous nelcn! not a tear, 

Nor sob. and scarce a transient jiulse- 
(|ui\cr. 

.\k, clasping hand in hand, her fair\' foot 



\vii>i>i:iiix's iia(;k 



1(>1 



liii like a small bird on my horseman's 

Ixxil, 
Ami lip iiil.o till' saililic, lillii' ami linlil, 
N'aiilliiif^ sill', i)CiTiiril, iirr l)i-ii;iil, riirls 

round my I'.htI 

" W'v rrossi'd tin: rivrr, ami, liiMmMiiiI- 

ini^, led 
<)"rr till' sU'ep slopi' of liirmlcij loi k tuid 

tiirl', 
'I'iir wcarii'd iiorsi', and liirri' l)i'liimi a 

'l"or 
Of caslcilaU'.d biuesloni!, paused to 

sweep 



Witli young keen eyes the Ijroad plain 
sli'i'lflii'd afar, 

Serene and autumn-tinted at oin- feet: 

' iMtlier," said 1, ' tliese devils liave gone 
Has', 

'i"o nici't Willi l)ioodlioiiii(l Dcsbrjrougli 
ill his rage 

IJetween tiic gi'anite i)asses of Luxorme, 

Oi' else, — dear (,'hristl my Ileli'n, low! 
stoop low !" 

Criiese woi'ds were hissed in liorroi-, for 
just then, 

"i'wixt tlie deep lioUows of the river- 
vale, 




"N", ii'>! st.im-li Wiilili-riii ! jiuusi.' iml now tn ilriiik." 



The miscreants, wilii mixed slioiits and I So loudly that the sweat of agony I'olled 



curses, poiu'ed 
Down through the flinty gorge tunndlu- 

ously, 
Seeming, we thought, in one fierce 

throng to charge 
Our liiiling-plaee. ) I seized my Widder- 

in's bead, 
IJIimlfolding him, for with a single neigh 
Our fate were sealed o' th' instant! As 

they rode, 
Those wild, foul-languaged demons, by 

our lair. 



Down my cold foieln-ad; at wliicli point 

I felt 
-My arm cluiclicd, and a xoice I did not 

know. 
Dropjicd the low miiiiiiiir from i)ale, 

sliiiddi'i'iiig li|is. 
'O Gijdl if in those linilal linmls I 

fall, 
/>/■'•/■//(/, l()<d< not into your mother's face 

Or (iiiij woman's moi'e!' 

•• AVliat time had passed 



Scarce twelve yards off. my ti-oiilded I Al»o\e our liowed heads, we pent, pin- 
steed shook wide ioned tliere 

Jlis streaming mane, stamped on the j I!y awe and nameless horror, who shall 
earth, and pawed tell ? 



\&2 LA'(?A\Vi>.S J\/) I.Vh'WS. 



Miniilos, i>iM'i'li;uu'i', l>y ninriMl mc:»sm'(<- I'lu'ii-'s smnotliiiiu'. — 'nit ir/ntt I can 

mciil, si';u'f(> (livii\(>. — 

Mlcrnilx l>\ lu'ar)-llirol>s! — when at PtTchancc "lis (he bicatli lilvc a polcul 

li'iiulli wine, 

\\ (' limii'il. auil eves ol' niiilual woiuli-r Of tilt' coi'dial. cloar (VtoluM-. 

laiscil. \\ liich inakcs, wIumi tlio jo\ ial month 

\\'(' ga/.i'il on alirn l'ai'i"<. liauuaiil. worn. coini's ronml. 

Ami stranuv i^\ I'lMlin-.' as ilu' laces Tlic lil'c lil.unl bloom, ami the pulses 

I'oin liouml. 

In IcMT ami .lelirinml \\ <'re we A ml t he soul spi im; toil h liUe a monarch 

saxed '.' ,To\\ n'll. 

>Vc scarce eonld eomprelieml it. till. ( iod's mace on t he lira\ c Octolu'rl 

I'i'om ont 

The neiL^lihorim; oak wood, rode onr Come, sw eel lieail I open \onr choicest 

tVicnds .-It speed, tun. 

With ehuu; of sled and I'Ncluows l»eut in I'orwho, I would mai\ el. eonld deem it 

wrath. sin. 

ihit warned helimes. the wil\ rnllians On 1 his niijht of Uecn Oelohcr, 

lied To (piatV one health to Ivis ruddy cheor, 

l''ar ni> the forest -commIs. ;uu1 hcyond (>n lln> golden cduo of the wanhivj; year. 

The da/./.lin,u' snow -line of the distant Vo his e\es so hriuht. and his cht>cks so 

hills'. cl.^ar. 

'I"l\eii' \ells of tiendish lan^hter pcalini; Our Mutf •■ Kinu Hal." —October ? 

faint. 

And fainter from the eloudlaud. and liie \\\a\ willi Khcnish and lii^hl eham- 

misi paiine I 

That closed al'onl t lu-m like an ashtray "Tis not in these we mnst pledi;i> tlu' 

shroud; reiii'ii 

Yet were these wretches maiked for Of the s(onl old lord, — (V-tohei-; 

imminent death; |!ni in miuht\ stoups of the " monnlain 

The nc\l koen sunrise pierced the dew." 

sav.ajjo siorsjv. With "l>eads" like tears in an eye of 

To which wo tracked them. wIum-.'. bine. 

mere beasts at ba\. I'.ut tears of a lanj^htcr. sonml and 

(irind) they fonuht . and hruti> b\ brute true. 

Ihcv fell." \s thine honest heart. ()clober! 



turoin:/,'. 



lie lirmmht me lo\i>aud he lirouiiht nu' 

health, 
lie lironuht me nil but the curse k\( 
Akak (\ou\ the city, itscarkand care, — wealth. 

Thank (iodi 1 am cosily seated here, This kindl\ and free (V-lober: 

On this night of halo Oeloher, — And fore\er and a\e 1 will bless his 

While Iho Iknues leap high on the roar- nanvo. 

lug hearth. While his winds bk^w fresh, and his 

And voices, the dearest io me on earth. sunsets tiauie. 

King out in the nuisic o( household And the whole oarth burns with his 
mirth. crimson fame. 

Kor the time is blitlm October! This prince of the months, —October ! 



117/,/-. ///■.//a; ,i.v/> riii'-.i:!- 



Km 



will. 

^'iiri; I'lici', my liny, wlicii si\ iiionllis 
old, 

W'c |irn|i|ir(| villi hiiiL^liinu ill :i rliiiir, 
Ami 111!' Sim .irlisl r;iii;,'lil llir uoM 

W'liii'li ri|i|ili'i| o'rr yiiiir wiuiii;; li;iii! 
And drflly slmdowt'd lnrlli llir uliilc 
Tliiil lilooMiiiii; I'licrk, lli;il i'ii;.;iiiHli 

Hlllilc, 

TlioHc dimpli's sililnm i ill : 
'I'lic liny, wondriin;;, uidr-i'ycd ell! 
Ndw, cii]\ yon rcroyiiiizc yoniHcir 

III llilll Mii:ill i.iiili;iil, Will '.' 

I ;;l;iliri' ;il il , I lini I in ii In \ mi, 

W'lirli' ill ymii liiiill III III r;isr ymi 
sliiml. 
No ln'.'inly, — linl. u yoiil h as Inn', 

And |Mirr as iiny in Mic. Iiitid ! 
Kor Nalni'c, llii'onuli I'air sylviui ways, 
ilalli li'd iiiid ulaiidiiii'd ;ill ymir days, 

Kcpl, IVci' I'liim Miidid ill ; 
llalli lilird your' veins with lilissl'iil lire, 
And w ini^fd yoiw iiist.inrls lo asiiiic 
Sunward, and (imlward. Will ! 

IiOn;i-lind»i'd and iiisly, with a siridi' 
'I'liat leaves me many a. |iare iHliind, 

Von roam liie woodlands, far and wide, 
Von iinatl <x^-i"A\, di'ani^lils ol' eoiinliy 
w iml : 

Wliile hv and wildllou er, lakr and 

si lea 111, 

l)ee|, ,|iailo\\y iii)i)l<, ami siiiislinl ^leam. 

Cool vale and tar oil liill, 
I'laeh jilays ils mnle myslei ions |iarl. 
In thai, sti'an;^e i^rowlli of mind and heart 
I joy lo witness, Will I 

"Can (his tall youth," I sometimes 
«iiy, 
" l{('. mine? ;/(// HitM /" il, snrely seems 
Scarce, fin-llier l»a,ckward than a. day, 
Since watchin;; o'er yoni' leyerisli 
dreams 
In that ihild-illness of l.he I. rain, 
1 tljon;;ht (() Christ, with wliat keen 
l.ain.') 



VoMI pulse would III. 11 he still, 
'I'h.it .ill \oiii hoyish spoilH Were o'er, 

A ml I, liiMi t hroKeii, iie\ erinore 

Should rail, or elas|) you, Will! 

liiit llia\iii was kind, dialli |iassed yon 
hy; 
\iiil now Upon your arm I lean. 
Mil .«rniiil mlfy of cleai'er eye, 

< M lirmiT iHMVe. and steadier mien ; 
'lliioii'di \oii, melliiiiks, my Ioiil; lost 

youth 
l!e\ i\es,ri'om whose sweet roiiiit s of I rail h 

\ ml joy, I drink m\ lill : 
I teil your every hear! I liiol., know 
What inmosi hopes wilhin you ^fjow, 
< )ne soid's liet ween lis, Will ! 

I'ray IJiMMu that this he always so! 

That e\.T oil \oiir soul ami mine 
'I'hi.ic'h my thin loeks luow while a» 
snow. 
The sell'-sanie radiant liii-J may shine; 
I'ra-y that, while this, ms lite, eudui'es, 
II, aye may synipallii/,e with yours 

III t hoiiLjht, aim, aetion still ; 
Thai you, ( ) sou (till ei.liies the end), 

Il may liiid \our louirade, t'rieml, 

And Hinrr than lather, Will! 



///7/a; \\I) lllElir..* 

IlKiiK I he warm snirsliim; lills 
Like wine of ^'ods llie deepening', luip 

shaped dells. 
Kmhossed with maiM'llous (lowers; the 

happy lill-. 
I. 'nam I hioiii;h I he ,i lit iimiial lie Ids w hose 

rich increase 
Of leathered i.M'ain sn'iiles imder heavens 

While'riaiiy a hiid soiii; swells 
l''rom L;lades of iieii^'hhorinL^ woodlands, 
eiiol ami lair. 
' 'ouleiil and peace are lltVf. 

• Written dinintf I In' »iu- IxMHeeii |''iniicc 
and (lerniiuiy. 



164 



LEai:x/)S AX/> /^vh'jcs. 



There the wild hatlle's -wraih 
'I'luiiulers from easthnl heiglit to stoiied 

liliiin, 
IMouuhs w ilh red lii;liliiiii;;-l)olis ils leri-i- 

ble path. 
And sows Ihe abhorrent seeds of blood 

and dealh, 
IJlown tar on Desolation's tameless 
breath. 
While for antnmnal urain 
'Pinie reaps the harvest, of a bleak de- 
spair, — 
(ioiTs enrse eonsnnu\s them there. 

Here jovial ehildren play 
Ueneath the latest vine-leaves; innocent 

kin, us. 
And biissfnl ipieens, — on them the ma- 
tron Dav, 
liike a sweet mother drops her kisses 

li-ht; 
Tlie M'lv elonds some secret joy makes 
bright. 
And ronnd iis elin;;s and elini;s, 
"With Ariel arms, the season's iiithience 
rare, — 
llea\('n's heart beats near us livvc. 

There love bemoans its lost. 
Countless as seaside sands; all jovs of 

life 
lu'st lotdicd and stirlcss in the blood-red 

frost ; 
Ye drums, roll out. shrill clarions, peal 

><)ur parts I 
Ye cannot drown the wail of broken 
hearts, 
Xor still that spiritual strife 
Which thrills throujiii Vit'tory's voice 
its death-notes drear, — 
Dear Christ, soothe, save them tinvv. 



)yKi.roMi: r<> u'/.\r/:n. 

Now, with wild and windy roar, 
Stalwart Winter eonu's once more, — 
(Ver our roof-tree tlunulors loud. 
And from edsxos of black cloud 



Shakes his beard of hoai-y sjold, 
IJke a tanijlcd torrent rolled 
Down the sky-rifts, clear and cold! 

Hark I his trumpet sununons rings, 

Totcnt as a Marrior-king's; 

Till the forces of our blood 

i>'ise to lusty hardihood. 

And oiu' sninmer's languid dreams 

Well, like foam-wreaths, down the 

streams. 
When llie lierce norlhcasiers roll, 
l\aving from tiic fio/cn pole. 

Nobler hopes and keener life. 
Ci)uieken in his breath of strife; 
Through the simw-storms and the sleet 
On he stalks with armed feet, 
AVhile the sounding clash of bail 
Clanging on his icy mail, 
.stii's whate'er of generous nnght 
Time liath left us in his llight. 
And our yi'arning i)ulses thrill 
For some gi'aud achieviMncnl still! 

i-ord of ice-bound sea and land. 
JiCt me grasp thy kingly hand. 
.Vud from thy great heart and boUl, 
llecla-warm. though all is ct>ld 
Ikound about thee, catch the tire 
Of my lost youth's brave desire; 
TiCt m(>, in the war with wrong. 
Like thy storms, be swift anil strong, 
(Jloomy griefs, and coward cares 
Broods of 'wildering. dark despairs. 
Making all life's glory dim. 
Let mc rend them, lind) from lind>. 
As the forest -boughs are rent 
"\^'hcn thonwak'st the lirniann'ut. 
And with sa\age shriek and groan, 
All the wildwotxl's overthrown! 



VO MY MOTItF.n. 

Like streandets to a silent soa. 
These songs with varied motion 

Flow from bright fancy's ni)lands free, 
Ti> Lethe's clouded ocean; 



SONN/'JTS. 



165 



They lapse in (Icrprliini;' liillsir (luv\n 
'I'lic sloiK'S of llouiT-lil inradows. 

Nor (li't'iiiii, poor soiiunI liow n(':ii' lliriii 
trow 11 
()l)li\ioirs raylcss shadows! 

^■(•l (li<jiii;Ii of brief anil duiiious life, 

All wed fo ineoniiilelciiess, — 
'I'lic voices of tlics(! lays are rife; 

With frail and (leetiug sweetness; 
One elioril to make more fnll tlie strain, 

One note 1 may not smotlier, 
Is echoed in the heart's refrain 

AVhieli liolds thy name, my mother! 

To lliee my earliest verse 1 hroiii;,ht, 

All wreatlied in loves and roses, 
Some glowing boyish fancy, fraught 

With tender May-wind closes; 
Tlioa tlid'st not taunt my fledgling song, 

N'or view its llight with scorning: 
*"Th(! bird," thou saidst, "grown (lec^t 
and sti'ong, 
flight yet outsoar the morning! " 

Ah me! between that hour and this. 

Eternities seem llovving; 
O'er hapless graves of youth and bliss 

Dark cypress boughs are growing; 
Our Fate hath dimmed with bast; alloy 

The rich, pui'e gold of pleasure, 
And changed tin; choral chant of joy 

'I'o care's lieart-broken measure! 

IJiil through it all, — the blight, tlu; pall. 

The stress of thunderous weather, 
I'liat (Jod who keeps wild cliance in 
thrall 

Hath linked our lots togetluir; 
So, hand in hand, we sail the gloom. 

Faith's mystic plummet casting 
To sound the ways which (;n(l in bloom 

Of Edens everlasting! 

I bless thee, Dear, with reverent 
thought ! 

Pale face, and tresses hoaiy. 
Whose every silv((ry tlii'ea<l hath caught 

.Some hint of heavenly glory; — 



To lliee, wilii I riisl, assured, sublime, 
DealiTs angel-call that waitest. 

To thee, as onct; my earliest rhyme, 
Lo! now, I bring — my latest! 



SONN/iTS. 

ii,i.i;(.iTi.MAri:. 

TifK maiden Spiiiig canie laughing down 

the dales, 
Her fair lirows arched, and on her I'ose- 

l)ud mouth, 
The balm and Ixiauty of tlu; lustrous 

South ; 
Through soft green (ields, from hills to 

happy vales, 
SIk! tripped, her small feet twinkling in 

llu^ sun, 
Iler delicate linger raised with girlish 

mirth, 
roinlcd at gi'aybcard Winter, who, in 

dearth. 
Toiled toward his couch, his long day 

labor done; 
Ah no, not done! for hai'k! a sudden 

wind, 
Death-laden, sw'ceps from realms of arc- 
tic sky, 
And blurred with storm, the morn grows 

(;razed and blind; 
Th(!n Winter, mocking, backwai'd turns 

a])ace. 
When; pallid Si)ring all vainly strives to 

fly. 
And with brute buffet scars hei' shrink- 
ing fa,e(^! 

SONNET. 

I CAST this sorrow from me like a 
crown 

Of billci' nettles, and unwholesome 
weeds. 

Nursed by cold night-dews, from malig- 
nant seeds, 

111 Fortune sowed, when all the heaven 
I lid frown ; 

Its loathsome round I trample deeply 
down 



KX) 



LK Uh'NJJti A .\/> I.) I! I ( 'N. 



Ill iiiiif ;iiul (lust, to 1)11111 my 1ir;iiii no 

more ; 
l''roiii olT my lucw 1 wipe I lie I rii'kliii!; 

jAorc, 
Wiiilc all iilioul iiif, liJM' ivfi'u clarions 

Mown. 
Kroin brc(vy tlclls, ami l;oIiKmi lu'ii;lils 

alar, 
Tlu'ir sttTii rrnillr the wiM March 

w imis sonml ; 
'riicy wake an answcriiii; passion in in\ 

soul. 
Whence, iiiarshallcii as lnavi' warriors. 

lakiiii; j;rouiui 
Vol noblest coiillicl. I'reeil Irom ilonhl >ir 

dole, 
(ireat Ihoiighls uprising; Ironl Hope's 

im>riiiH,i; star! 

VlOK.NAl. I'll 11 KIs (WIllUH r .\M> 
W I llllN ). 

.\mii> fresh roses wamlerin;;. ami the 

soft 
.Villi ilelicati' \vi\illli iif ai>i>K' blossoms 

spread 
III tender spirals of hliMit white and red, 
Kouiid the fair spaces of «>iii' blooiiilna; 

croft. 
This morn 1 caught (he <;iir!;lin!;' note, 

so oft 
Heard in the i^oKlcn sprini;-tides that are 

d<>aiU — 
The swjillow's note, miirmiirinL; of w in- 
ter tied. 
Dropped sil\<'rly from passii>nless calms 

iili>ft : 
"O heart!" I .saiil, '• ihy vernal depths 

unclose. 
That uum>r Nature's; warm airs, conio 

and iio 
Of w liisptM'inii ardors o'er lhoui;lit's bud- 

di>d rose. 
And lialf-hid llowers of s\\ ctM philoso- 

Phy ; 
While now up^lancin^, now borne swift 

and low. 
Song like the swallow darts through fan- 
cy's sky." 



/'///•.■ Moi w r.ii\ OF riir. /.oi FiiS." 



Lovio scorns dei;i'ees! the low he lifieil' 

iiiuh. 
The high hi- drawctli down to that fai; 

plain 
\\'liereoii, in his ili\ iiic ciiuality. 
Two lo\ iiii; hearts may meet, nor meet 

in \ain; 
'(iainst such sweet Icxcllim; ("usioiii 

cries amain. 
Hut o'er its har->liesl nllcranceone bland 

si-ll, 
liicallicd pas>ion w isc. dolli mount vic- 
torious siill. 
l'"or l.o\e. earths lord, must ha\i' his 

lordly will. 

II. 

lint ah! this sovereign will oft works 

at last 
The deadliest banc, as happed erewhilc 

t.. her. 
I'.arl (lodolf's dau;.ilitcr, many a ceulniy 

past; 



* 'I'lie most iiupiMlinil t'c:ilur<' in llu- land- 
si'iipc of lliis \HH'\\\ llu' oil! Clu-eliiclcr |n'isi,-<ls 
in ilcsijiiiatiii;; us a ineuntiiin of "steep" ami 
"torrililo" ascoiit ; luU that it ciuild not luivo 
boon !i inomitaiii, ami, ilesiiito ocrtiiin obstueles 
wliii'li niailo it danjjtMous for men on liorse- 
bai'k, it niiuiit m>l oven lijivo been ii (•(/■(/ " tor- 
ril>lc" l\ill.is shown by the fnel, that ainonjj 
till' I Tv'ud who roaehoil the siuiimit soon Hftor 
tlu' i';naslroi>he, were " old men," wlioin lhi> 
oxeileineiit ol tlu' I ime anil scene w»>nld hardly 
h.'ive siitheoil to bear safely up were the rhron- 
ieler's expressions to bo litirallii aeee|''ed. 
To any man lo.-vdod as Oswahl wius, the as.oiu 
ot a eonii>aialivoly inodovato hoishi would 
prove a tearful trial: b\it in his ease the atro- 
cious cruelly of the oxperimeut, and the lit'o 
and death issues involved, boeanio so olo.soly 
ii.ssooi.'Ued in the spoelatovs' minds with the 
wdYcnd/ soono of the tiai;ody, that the latter 
was not unnaturally bohohl thro>\j;h the maji- 
nifyinu medium of pity and terror. 'I'lnis the 
hill was eU>v.ited into a mounljiin! The old 
(lironieler celebrates it as such. We follow 
th.- old Chronicler to the death! 



TUK MOUNTAIN OF TIIK JAJVKllH. 



\iu 



She loved licrfiiMicr's low \\ovn forcstor, 
AImhiI wIiosc iiiiinriil '^\\u;- did lirriUlic 

and slir 
So clear a radiance, liy soiM-v irl iics casl, 
lie moved iiiilKiKdied ol' Nocial lili^hl, or 

ban 
Niilnre's serene, line lieailcd treid jeman. 



Vet slift alone of all I lie lioiiseholil saw 

'I'lial softy HonI IteneaMi his serfw attire; 

!>iil of tli(' rnthless Vau\ so ^reat lier 
awe, 

< 'lose, el()S(! she ke))t her spirit's veiled 
<iesire, 

Nor oul ward shone one spark of hidden 
hre. 

Too well she knew to what stern feudal 
law 

.She an<l her ha[)less Love |ierforee. nnist 
yield, 

If once Ihis tender s(!en;t wei'o re- 
vealed. 



Yea! even hy Oswald's self her <'overt 
llanie 

Undreamed of hiinied; proud stood she, 
coldly fair. 

When, to report of woodcraft lore, he 
came 

'I'o the Karl's hall, and sIk; was lin;,'eriin,' 
then!. 

'Told heart!" thou,i,dit he; " who 'midst 
hei' lieigemen, dare 

I'lay as 1 played with death a desp(;rate 
f,^•lme 

For her sweet sake '.' and yet, alas! and 

She scorns the service and disowns the 
debt." 



For sooth it was that one keen wint.-r's 

nit,'ht, 
Willie slowly jonrneying homeward 

through a wood 



Whose every (leep(!st copse in moonshine 
hrlKht 

(Jlininiered from hoary liindi to frost- 
lipped hud. 

On sire and .liild tli.'re hurst a ci'y of 

l.lood, 

l''olloued l.y liurryinL; feel, and the dread 

si,i^ht 
Of seoi'(!s of ^'ray-skinned hiulcs — a 

<nrefid pack 
Of wolves half-starved (hat yelled alon;< 

theli' ti'ack. 



In vain his fraidic team Karl (;odolf 

smole, 
Willi hieiided prayer and curse; iiij;|i 

doom were they. 
Killers and steeds, for now each raveniiii^ 

tliroal 
Yawned like a fmil londi. On I he hound- 
ing sleij,di 
'I'lie (ierce horde ^^liiied, when from IIk; 

silvery-j;ray, 
Cold-I, ranched j^lades oiitrauf^ a hiij;l(> 

note, 
With next a liowslrin^''s twaiif,', an 

arrinvy v\liir, 
As shaft on shaft the, kec^n-eyed foi'estcrr 



Kannehed on the foe, each hiirtlinf,' shaft 

a fate, 
'i'licn Oswald, 'twixt pursuers and 

|)Ursue<| 

L(!apt, sword in liaiid, his eyes of (iery 

hate 
Kixed on the hallled liordi', whoscMloiiht- 

ful mood 
Chan^'ed to (piiek fc-ar, they scoiirc'd 

adown the wooil. 
Their loiif,' fjaunt lines, in (iend-like, 

vaiKpiished state, 
Kadin;,' with (lash of hlood-red orhs from 

far, 
'i'ill th(! last vanished like a haleful 

star ! 



108 



LEOKNDS AND JA'IilVii. 



Vlll. 

Now, by I 111' mass! aln'ui>l and lirict", I 

The \\u\c Karl's thanks umicsi'IIOiI limbs 

anil lilo; 
r>nt not so siracoli'ss proved ilio lair 

("atrinc. 
As uhux'ing barkward to lln> tiold ot' 

slrit'(> 
Sh<> llashi'd a sniiK-wiih i-otdial int'aninu' 

nt\>. 
\Vliicli stiau'k our s\lvan lu'n> (who did 

l<-an, 
raK\ «M> his how,) as 'tworo ilio iiiorcin-i 

lilcani 
Of soiuo si nuiii'i", suddt'u, halt' iH-wiKlcr- 

ii\i; ilivani. 



IX. 

Alack! ihodioain waxid not, hut sconu-d 

to wani\ 
As if ;> I'loiulK'ss sun hut lato arisiMi. 
Uafk joiuMU>\in>i', i>assod acn^ss tho oiho- 

ival i>lain. 
And tlu> fiosh dawti it hronuht. dii>d out 

in lu'a\ >M\ ; 
Foi' from that ovc no suhtlosi signs wiM'o 

gixi'ii. 
As Ofst wo said, that passion's blissful 

pain 
Toui'lu'd th<- maid's heart, or that her 

days woie t'auiiht 
la ihoso lino nioshos wovon by lovo for 

tlunmht. 



In l>iitain dwolt Karl Ooilolf. ni-jh tho 

bounds 
(>f tho Wolsh marohos; a wild rovor ho 
In his hot youth, inuroil to strife and 

wounds 
Through many a foray tioroo by land and 

soa ; 
Uut. aftor years of bright iran»|uillity — 
Years linked to K>ve ihixMigh \>leasur(>'s 

poaeoful bounds — 



S»> giMilly lapsed, the unmailed warrior's 

hand 
Korgol almost the use of spear ov braml. 

XI. 

A bride tM-(>while won bv his danntloss 

blade 
lii a great sea light — where his arm had 

slain 
Some half seore loemen — wan and half 

afraid, 
llonieward he brought, wliost- every deli- 

iMle M'in 
Pulsed the rieh blood and tro\>ie warmth 

o\ Spain; 
liiil when pure wifehood erow ned tlu> 

noble luaid. 
Heart fruits for him his beauteous huly 

bore, 
t>f whose strango sweets he had not 

dreauiod hol\>re. 



Slu> strove his nature's ruggodness to 

snuH>ih. 
And in His bosom di\>ppeil a fruitful 

genu 
Of those uiild virtues givea our lives to 

sootlu\ 
And eliaiig<> their gusty solitude to warm 
Uenelieent ealm, — divinosi after storm. 
Within him lloworod a pallid grai-e of 

ruth. 
Nor oft, as oiiet', o'er bleeding breasts ho 

trod 
Straight to his purpose, blind to l.iw and 

(iod. 

Xlll. 

And in fair fulness of tho ripoiiod time, 

Still gout lor grow his dark, war-furrowed 
nuen; 

lie quatVod tho sunshine of a fairy I'limo. 

l.ovo ehanuoil, hope gladdeneil, when, 
lo I'linvn the si-iMio 

Of transient bliss, tlune sniiU'd a new- 
rat ri no — 




" I'.vi-iv <|if|pcHt ropHi' in riiiporiHliiiir lirlnlil, 
(.liiiiiuiTcil Iroiii li.mry IniiiU lo IroHl-l i|i|"''l 1'IkI. . . 
SrorirM ol Kiny-MkliilH'il hnilcn ;i ilii<liil p:i<K 
Of wolVfH liull MUrvctI lli;il yi'llr.l :iloiiK llicir li;i<U. 



Tiih: Moi'N'i'AiN or ■i'iii<: i.ovrnhi. 



169 



'riio loveliest l»al)(! (i'cr liillril liy niollirr's 

iliyirn^ — 
Wliosc tiny (iiii^crH o'er iirr' liciirl-slriii^'H 

[liiiycd, 
Makiii.n iii<'riiil)lc iiiiisic wlicrc tlicy 

slraycil. 

X I V. 
W'dc Willi li llirriidl lor lli()lli;li llicill- 
lillll, llll'ivi'll 

slowly llic hapli'ss iiioliicr |iiiiiil away; 
i,()vc Ir) tlic last ill plrjiijiii;,' eyes siir- 

vi\<Mi — 
'I'liosc l'()i:(l, fond t^ycM dooincd to the 

clmrcliyai'd clay, 
('otliiii'd. anil sliiil t'roiti all Millie .si^lils 

or day; 
i>iit riirist! ill llici' liiT stainless .spir'H. 

lived, 
Whose nieiiioiy — a. wiiite star — slioiild 

everinoi'e 
O'lT leT lord's paths have lieaiiieil to 

keep Ihelll ]iine. 

XV. 

Natliless, sonii" souls there are hy ciiicl 

loss 
Stiin.i,'. as with scoui'^e of scorpions, to 

despair; 
Tliese will not. si'ck theChrisl, nor clasp 

His cross, 
r.iil, tropin;; \a;,'uely t,lir(>ii;4li sul|)!inr('- 

oiis ail', 
Strike hands with Satan, in tlie iiiiirky 

ylare 
Of furious hell, whose hillows ra^^e and 

toss 
Ahoiit tlieir tortiireil heiim, nr;^ed l,o 

eiirse 
'I'lial mystic will which rules the uni- 

vftrse. 

xvr. 

Yoa, Kiieh the I'laiTs; no eoolinL,' dew 

did fall 
To Ileal his wound; 'painst heaven and 

earth he turned, 
fiiit to Ins sense willi one vast funeral 

pall; 



And the sore hearl uilliin him writ.lied 

and liiirnc.d 
Willi liallleil hope, and pain thai, madly 

yearned. 
Vainly and madly, for dear love's recall. 
No ii,L;lit o'ershoiK! f^ricf's ocean ilrcar 

and hiack, 
The while old iiassions tliron^eil l.nmiil- 

tnoiis hack. 



So, his last state was worse than e'en his 

(irst; 
Murder ami rapine, pitiless '^v<-<-<\, and 

ire 
li'aj^iMJ wlieresoe'er his raven hanner 

hurst, 
'Mid shrieks and wails, and hollow roar 

of lire, 
Which lapped I he household porch and 

cracklin;^ h)fVi-; 
lie seemed demoniac in his aims ac- 

ciirsl , 
Wrath in his soiil, and on his hrow the 

si '^'11 
Of hell — a human scoiirL;e hy power di- 
vine 

XVIII. 

I'Vif srtine niy-<lerioiis I'lid permill.crl 

still — 
As many an evil thiiii,' our (iod allowH 
To raii^c the world, and work its dread- 
ful will, 
Whet her in lorm of chiefs, with la ii id led 

hrows. 
Or s|>ies and traitors in the ^ood man's 

house; 
Or, it. may Ijc, some slow, infect ions ill, 
Untiaced, and rising like a, inisi defiled 
With poisonous odors on. a lonely wild, 



Alheil no marsli is near, or steamy fen. 
.More monstrous year hy year Karl (U)- 

dolf'H deeds 
Flared m hell's livery on tlie eyes of men ; 
All Ljrowlhs of transient eooihiess 

checked hy weeds, 



170 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



iSiii-lircd: and. ali I 

lllOfds 

To kiK>\v slu' may not mci't licr love 

aijain: 
And cM'U the vaK^s ininuulal sccimHl 

ll'SS SWCCl. 

Bocauso t(H) purr lor his n-ime-cuinhcn'd 
feet. 



auiifl's bosom And lucid, languid eyes the maid she 
dowered, 

And her enticing lovelines.s empowered 

\Vith channs to melt the Avintriest teni- 
Ihm's cold 

Charms wrought of sunrise Avarmth, 
and twilight hahn. 

Passion's deep glow, antl pity's saint- 
like calm. 



XX. 



]>ul, weal or woe, the world rolls 
blindly on. 

While nature's charm, in child, and 
liird. and tlowt>r. 

Works its raie mar\i'ls 'neath the noon- 
ilay sun. 

And the still stars in midnight's slum- 
berous hour. 

And so a human hud, through beam 
and slunver, 

CJlad play, and easeful sleep — the 
i)rphaned one. 

The beauteous babe — a sour old bel- 
dame's care, 

Uptlowered at length a matcliless maid, 
and fair. 

N\I. 

Most fair to all hut him to whom she owed 

Her life and place in this bewildering 
Avorld ; 

For he, a changed man since that hour 
which showed 

His wife", worn form in earthly cere- 
ments furled. 

Col.l .scorn had launched, or ca]ilions 
passion hurled 

At this sole oft'spi'iug of his lone abode. 

Till grown, alas! too early grave and 
w ise, 

!She viewed her sire, in turn, with love- 
less eyes. 

XXII. 

Still in beuignaul arms did nature fold 
Her favored child, and on her richly 

showered 
All gifts of beauty: with long hair of 

gol.l 



will. 

Tall, lilhe. and yielding as a young bay 
tree 

Her perfect f oi m : but "neath its lissom 
grace 

There lui'ked a lattMit strength keen 
ey<'s could see. 

Drawn from her father's undegenerate 
race: 

The dazzling fairness of her Saxon face, 

(\)ntrasted with the dark eyes' witchery, 

Slume with such light as northern noon- 
da\s wake 

Through thi> ch'ar shadows of a moun- 
tain lake. 

XXIV. 

Her full blow)i flower of beauty lured 

ere long 
T'unumbered suitors round her: these 

declare 
lioldest i-eport hath done the \ irgin 

wi-oiig. 
And past all iiower of words they deem 

her fair: 
The kingdom's princeliest youth besiege 

her ear 
.\nd heart with ardent vows and amor- 
ous SOU'.;': 
Love, rank and wealth their sjilendid 

beams coml)ine. 
She the i'ar(> orb about whose ]iath they 

shine. 

XXV. 

Still wduld she wed w ilh none till rudely 

press.Ml 
To the last boundary of her patience 

sweet ; 



'/'///•; MOI'NTAIN OF THE LOVKltS. 



171 



No more sIir struggled in a yearning 
l)r<'asl 

To hide luT passion, liowsoc'cr unmeet 

For one lilLih placed assiic; licr tVrvciil 
t'.-.'l, 

Oft bore her now wliere wooillaiid (low- 
ers earessed 

'J'ln' i,'rau(l old oaks, beneath whose shel- 
leriiii;- l»ou;;hs 

Tlie lovers nuiscid, or, whisperiii;^, 
hiealhed their vows. 

xxvr. 

But ere to sucli sweet i)ass their fates 

had led. 
Or ere her thought unhosonied utterly, 
To the rai)t youth, in tremulous tones, 

she said. 
"/ lorclhcc," throii-li full many a fine 

degree 
Of feeling, touelied hy sad uneertaiuty. 
'i'hat Irulli tliey neaierj. which, like a 

liii'd o'erliead. 
Mill faltering Mew. till l)orne through 

shade and sun. 
It nestled warm in two hearts mule as 

one ! 

XXVII. 

The truth, the fond eonvietion that all 
earth 

■\Va^ less than niuight — a mote, a van- 
ishing gleam. 

Matched witli the glow of that transcen- 
dent hirth 

Of love which wrapi)ed them in his ha]i- 
piest dream ; 

Entranced thus, shut in ])y heam on heam 

Of glory, is it strange hut trivial worth 

Their dazzled minds in transient doubts 
sliould see 

Whi<di some times crossed their keen fe- 
licity ? 

XX\II[. 

Their love awhile, like some smootli rivu- 
let l)Oi-ne 

Through droopim; umi)rage of a lonely 
dell, 



liy clouds unvisited, hy storms untorn, 
Passed, rippling nuisic; like a magic hell 
Out rung hy spirit Iiands invisible, 
lOacIi tender lioiu- of meeting, eve or 

m(^rii, 
Above them, stoh; in rliythmic sweet- 
ness, blent 
AVith rare frnilion of supreme content. 

XXIX. 

But in the sunset tide of oiu- calm day. 
When, all unconscious at the place of 

tryst, 
IJeyond their wont they lingered; with 

dismay 
They saw, begirt by gold and amethyst, 
Of that rich time, gigantic in the midst 
Of shimmering splendor, whiidi did flash 

and i)lay 
About his form, and o'er his visage dire, 
The wrathful liarl, midmost the sunset 

fire. 



No word lie uttered, ])ul his falchion 

drew , 
Red with the slain boar's blood, and 

pointed grim 
Where 'gainst the eastern heavens" slow- 
deepening blue 
Uprose his castle turrets, tall and dim. 
The maid's eyes close; she feels each 

nerveless limb 
Sink nigh to swooning; but. heart-brave 

and true. 
Clings to her Love, while from pale lips 

a sigh 
Doth faintly fall, which means '' o:!lli 

liitn I (I id" 

XXXI. 

Gravely advancing, tlie Eurl's stalwart 
hand 

liest-s on her sliuddering shoulder: one 
quick glance. 

Haughty and high, rife with severe com- 
mand. 

On the 'mazed woodsman doth he dart 
askance, 



172 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



Who doubtful bides, as one half roused 
from trance, 



Came, grandly robed, our Lord's high 
senesclial ; 



Striving to Icnow on what new ground j To all the lieges, with shrill trumpet 



his stand 



call, 



Thenceforth shall be; or if life's priceless j In name of his serene puissant grace 

ah. 
Put to the test just then, must rise or 

fall. 

XXXII. 

Fate wrought the issue ! for as Oswald 
waits 

Biding his time to smite, or else retreat, 

AVith the maid's hand his own Earl 
Godolf mates, 

And from the wood they pass with foot- 
steps fleet; 

One tearful, backward look vouchsafed 
his sweet. 

Just as the castle gates — those iron 
gates, 

Heavy and stern, like Death's — were 
closed between 

His burning vision and the lost Catrine. 

XXXIII. 

To heaven he raises wild despairing 
eyes, 

But heaven responds not ; then to earth 
returns 

His baffled gaze from ranging the cold 
skies, 

And earth but seems a place for burial 
urns ; 

In sooth, the whole creation mutely 
spurns 

His prayer for aid; alas! what kind re- 
plies 



Godolf, the Earl; to all folk, bond or 
free, 

With strident voice he read this foul de- 
cree : 

XXXV. 

'• Whereas our virgin daughter, hight 

Catrine, 
False to her noble race and lineage 

proud. 
Hath owned her love for one of birth as 

mean 
As any hind's who creeps among the 

crowd 
Of common serfs, with cowering shoul- 
ders bowed — 
Oswald by name — the whom ourselves 

have seen, 
When least he deemed us nigh, his 

traitorous part 
Press with hot wooing on the maiden's 

heart : 

XXXVI. 

" Let all men know hereby onr will it is, 
To-morrow morn tlieir trial morn must 

be; 
Either the serf shall win, and call her 

his, 
Or both shall taste such bitter misery 
As even in dreams the boldest soul would 

flee; 
If lips unlicensed thus will meet anil kiss. 



Can woeful man from fair, dumb Nature Eeason it seems that such unhallowed 



draw 
Locked in the grasp of adamantine Law ? 

XXXIV. 

Three morns thereafter, in the market 
place 

Of the small town, from Godolf's castle 
wall 

Distant, it might be, some twelve fur- 
longs' space, 



flame 
Of love should end in agony and shame. 



" Therefore, the morrow morn shall view 

their doom 
Accomplished; 'mid the ferns of Bolton 

Down, 
Where Bolton Height doth catch the 

purpling bloom 



THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LOVERS. 



17a 



Of early siiuriwe on his treeless crown, 
We say to all — knight, hurgher, squire 

and olown — 
Just as the castle's nioniiiig Ix-H sliall 

boom 
O'er the far hills, and brown moor's 

blossonung. 
Come, and behold a yet undreamed-of 

thing. 

xxwaii. 

''For then and there must Oswald bear 

aloft. 
By his sol(! strength, imaided and alone. 
The blameful maid, whose nature, grown 

too soft. 
Durst thus betray our honor and her 

own ; 
Yet, if he gain the height, untamed, un- 

thrown, 
All hands applaud him, and all plumes 

be doffed; 
\Vhil(! for ourselves, we vow they both 

shall fare 
Unharmed beyond our realm — we reck 

not where." 

XXXIX. 

So, as decreed, the next morn, calm and 

clear, 
Witnessed, in many a diverse mode con- 
veyed, 
A mixed and mighty concourse gathering 

near 
The appointed height, some in rough 

frieze arrayed, 
And some in gold; then; blushed the 

downcast maid, 
Trged to this cruel test, a passionate 

tear 
Misting her view, as surged the living 

sea. 
IJehind her, his arms folded haughtily, 

XL. 

His comely liead thrown back, his eyes 

on fire 
^\ ith hot (■<)ntemi)t. fixed on an armed 

band 



Which, stationed near him at the Earl's 

desire. 
His every move o'erlooked, did Oswald 

stand, 
Striving his roused anger to command. 
And lift his clouded aspirations higher 
Than thoughts revengeful. Hark! a 

deepening hum 
On the crowd's verge — the trial hour 

has come! 

XLI. 

Divided, then, betwixt his ire and 

scorn, 
Outspake the Eai'l, in tones of savace 

glee: 
" Woodsman! essay thy task, for lo! the 

morn 
Grows old, and I this wretched mum- 
mery 
Would fain see ended." 

— AVitli mien gravely free. 
Clad in light garb, o'erwrought by hound 

and horn, 
Oswald stood forth, nor quelled by frail 

alarms. 
About the maiden clasped his reverent 

arms ; 

XLII. 

And she, like some pure flower by May 

tide rain 
Gracefully laden, turns her eyes apart 
From the great tlu-ong, and, pierced by 

modest pain. 
Veiled her sweet face upon her lovei's 

lieart ; 
Whereat the youth is seen to thi'ill and 

start. 
While o'er his own face, calm and pale 

but now, 
Piush the deep crimson waves from chin 

to brow ; 

XLIII. 

Then do th(\y ebb away, and lea\-e him 

wliit(! 
As the vexed foam on ocean's stormy 

swell. 



174 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



Yet cool and constant in his manful 

might 
As some stanch rock 'gainst which the 

tides rebel 
In useless rage, with hollow, billowy 

knell; 
Meanwhile advancing with sure steps 

and light, 
lie moves in measured wise to dare his 

fate 
Beneatli those looks of blended ruth and 

hate. 



Stirred by his generous bravery, and the 

sight 
Of such yoiuig lives — their love, hope, 

joyance set 
On the hard mastery of yon terrible 

height, 
"Whose I'ugged slopes and sheer descent 

are wet 
And slippery with the dews of da\\ning 

yet, — 

Through the dense rout, "wliich swayed 

now left, now right. 
Low, inarticulate nninnurs faintly ran, 
And one keen, quivering shoclc from 

man to man. 

XLV. 

The watchful matrons sob, the virgins 

A\eep 
Full tears, but all miheeded, as with 

slow, 
.Sure footfalls still he mounts the hostile 

steep 
On to a point where two great columns 

show 
Their rounded heads, crowned by the 

morning glow. 
His task half done, a sigh, long, grateful, 

deep. 
Breaks from his heaving heart; secure 

he stands, 
A sunbeam glinnnering on his clasped 

hands. 



And the glad lustre of his wind-swept 
locks 

More radiant made thereby; liis tall 
form towers 

'Gainst the dark background, piled 
with rocks on rocks 

Precipitous, whose grim, gaunt visage 
lowers. 

As if in league they were — like Titan 
powers 

Victorious long o'er storms and earth- 
quake shocks — 

To cast nuite scorn on him whose doubt- 
ful path 

Leads near the threatening shadows of 
their wrath. 



Fi'om the charmed crowd then rose an 

easeful breath. 
Lightening the dense air; but, "midst 

doubt and bale. 
Raves the wild Earl, reckless of life or 

death. 
If so his tyrannous purpose coidd pre- 
vail; 
For, almost mad, he smites his gloves of 

mail. 
Goading with frenzied heel the steed 

l)eneath 
His barbarous rule; in reason's fierce 

eclipse, 
A blood-red foam btu-ns on his writhing 

lips. 



Meanwhile, brief space for needful 

respite given, 
"With quickened pace, onward and 

upward still, 
And fanned by freshening gales, as 

nearer heaven 
He climlis o'er granite passways of the 

hill, 
Oswald ascends, untamed of strength or 

will. 




'I'lic kiiij^il 's i.iiiii'c'lif>l youth lifsicur her ear.' 



THE MOUNTAIN Ub' THE EUVEliS. 



175 



Striving, as ne'er before had mortal 

striven, 
IJoldly to win, and proudly wear as his, 
Tlie prize he bore of that bright, breath- 
ing bliss. 

XLIX. 

'I'wo thirds, two thirds and more, of 
that last half 

Of his fell journey had he stoutly won; 

And now he pauses the eool breeze to 
(juatf. 

And feel the royal luiartening of the sun 

Nerving his soul for what nuist yet be 
done. 

When with a gentle, quivering, flutelike 
laugh. 

Holding a sob, the maiden rose and 
kissed 

Her hero's lips, sought through a tremu- 
lous mist 



Of love and pride! The on-lookers, 

ranged afar. 
Saw. and more boldly blessed them; all 

are moved 
To trust that theirs may prove the for- 
tunate star 
Fate brightly kindles for young lives 

beloved : 
"His truth and valor hath he nobly 

proved ; 
How bi-ave, how eonstant l)oth these 

lovers are ; 
yootli I th(! sweet heavens seem with 

them." Thus, full voiced, 
Yet with some lingering doubts, the folk 

rejoiced. 

LI. 

Alas ! for false forecasting, and surmise ! 
Though small the space betwixt him and 

his goal, 
Oswalil doth stagger now in feeblest 

wise. 
And like some drunken carl, with heave 

and roll, 
Blindly he staggers in his lost control 



Of sense, or power; and so, with an- 
guished sighs. 

Turned on his love — the goai in easy 
reach — 

His yearning woe too deep for mortal 
speech. 



Whereon the lady's arms are wildly 

raiseil. 
Perchance in prayer, perchance with 

pitying aim 
His strain to ease, when lo! (dear Christ 

be praised ! ) 
It seemed new strength, fresh courage 

o'er him came. 
And through his spirit rushed a glorious 

flame, 
At which the crowd stood moveless, 

dumb, amazed. 
For, like a god, with swift, resistless 

tread. 
He strides to clasp the near goal o'er his 

head. 



A savage cliff of beetling brow it was. 
Midmost the summit of the lowering 

height. 
Rooted amongst low shrubs and sun- 
dried grass. 
And reared in blackness, like a cloud of 

night. 
On whose dull breast no beacon star is 

bright. 
Thitherward, from cold terrors of the 

pass 
Well nigh of death, the hero speeds 

amain. 
Nor seems his matchless labor wrought 

in vain. 



Yea; for a single rood's length oversped 
And victory crowns him ! God ! how 

still the crowd. 
Once rife with voices ! silent as the dead 
Lodged in their earthly crypt and moul- 
dering shroud ; 



176 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



But suddenly a great ery mounted loud 
And shrill above tlieni, as in rutliful 

dread, 
They saw the lovers, linked in elose 

embrace, 
Fall headlong down by that wild trysting 

place. 

LV. 

Then comes a quick revulsion, when, the 

pain 
Of fear and choking sympathy gone by, 
Hope reappears — aye, joy and triumiih 

reign — 
For though supine on yonder heii;lit tliev 

lie. 
Still, brow to brow, turned from the 

deepening sky, 
'Tis ))ut the faintness of the mighty 

strain — 
Or so they dream — on o'erworked nerve 

and will. 
Which leaves them moveless on the con- 

(piered hill. 

« 

I.VI. 

Sjjurring his courser, in vexed doubt and 
haste. 

The Earl charged on the dangeious 
height, as though 

Firm-trenched, defiant, "mid the rock- 
strewn waste 

Glittered the spear-points of his mortal 
foe; 

The horse's hoof struck tire, hurling 
below 

Huge stones and turf his goaded lindis 
displaced, 

Till checked midway, his J'eckless rider 
found 

He needs must climb afoot the treacher- 
ous sround 



And next the throng had caught, and 

past him swept, 
Clothed as he was in armor; a young 

kniijht 



Headed the rout, whose feverish fingers 

crept 
Oft to his sword hilt ; on the topmost 

height. 
Pausing with veiled eyes, his gaze he 

kept 
Fixed on the prostrate pair, o'er whom 

the light 
Of broadening sunrise now was mixetl 

with shade, 
And still the knight's hand wandered 

round his blade. 



Impatient, si)leeuful, struggling w ith the 

tide 
Of connnon folk, who seemed to heed 

no more 
His sullen passion and revengeful 

pride. 
Than if just then he were the veriest 

boor. — 
The Earl at length ^\■ith bent brows 

strode before 
The mongrel horde, and unto Oswakl 

cried : 
"Eise, traitor, rise! by some foul, jug- 
gling sleight, 
Through the fiend's help, thou hast 

attained the lieight : 

LIX. 

Part them, I .say!'' To whom in meas- 
ured tone. 

Measured and strange, the young knight 
answering said: 

"Earl, well 1 know thou wear'st for 
heart a stone. 

Yet dar'st thou part these twain whom 
death has wed, 

No longer twain, but one ? Look ! over- 
head 

The burning sun mounts to his noonday 
throne ; 

But o'er the sun, as o'er this fateful 
sod, 

Fades a great King, the King whose 
name is God! 



THE MOUNTAIX OF THE LOVEUti. 



177 



"Dcem'st thou for this day's work Ilis 

wrath shall rest ?" 
Whereon, low iiiurnuiring like a hive of 

bees, 
^ViLh stifled groans and tears, the people 

l)ressed 
Uonnd tlii> fair corpses — women on tluMr 

knees 
Enil)raee(l tlicni — and old men — hut 

dusky lees 
Of feeling left — did toueh Iheni, and 

earessed 
The maid's soft hair, the woodsman's 

noble face. 
Praying, under breath, that Christ would 

grant them grace. 



LXI. 

That mournful day had waned; by sun- 
set rose 

A wailing wind from out the dim north- 
east ; 

Which, as the shadows waxed at twi- 
light's close 

O'er moat and wood, to a shi'ill storm 
increased : 

But in his castle liali, with song and 
feast. 

Varied full oft by ribald gibes and blows 

Twixt ruflian guests in rage or maudlin 
play. 

The wild night raved its awfid hours 
away. 

I.XII. 

With not a pang at thought of her wlwse 
form 

In pallid beauty lay unwatched and 
dead. 

In a far turret chamber, where the storm. 

Thundering each moment louder over- 
head. 

Entered and shook the close-draped, som- 
bre bed. 

The barbarous sire with wine and was- 
sail wai'm. 



Lifting his cup 'mid brutal jest and 

jeer. 
Banned his pale daughter, slunil)ering on 
her bier. 



•Just as those impious words had taken 

flight. 
In the red dusk beyond the torcli's 

glare. 
Stole a vague shape that 'scaped the rev- 
ellers' sight. 
Slowly toward Earl Godolf, unaware 
Even as the rest, what fateful foe dicw 

near. 
Muffled the shape was, masked and Ijlaek 

as night, 
And now for one dread instant with 

raised sword 
Stood hovering o'er the heedless banquet 

board. 

LXIV. 

And next with flashing motion fierce and 

fast, 
Vengeance descended on that glittering 

blade ; 
The amazed spectators started, dumb, 

aghast. 
While at their feet the caitiff lord ^^■as 

laid. 
His heart's blood trickling o'er the pur- 
ple braid 
(For through his heart the avenger's 

brand had passed), 
And silver broidery of his gorgeous vest, 
Drawn drop by drop from out his smitten 

breast. 

i>xv. 

The nudfliMl shape which as a cloud did 

rise 
On the wild orgie, as a cloud departs; 
Wan hands are swept across bewildered 

eyes. 
And awe stilled now the throi)bing at 

their hearts, 
When suddenly one death-pale reveller 

starts 



17^ 



LEGENDS AND LnUCS. 



Up from the board aiul in sluill accent 

cfics, 
'• Ciirsl is (his rool'-lrcc. cnrsi tliis lucal 

anil w inc. 
Fly, oiinnailcs; lly willi nic llic uralli 

Divine!"" 

i.w 1. 

In liaste. in iiorroi'. and ureat tnnndt, 

lied 
'ri:e alTiiiilUed ^nesls; llien, on tlie va- 

canl fooni 
TS'o inaddenini; \oiee I liencel'ortli dis- 

• inieled. 
Fell tlie slern presenee of a lihastly 

Lilooni. 
A place 'twas decuied of lioiudt'ss, liale- 

fnl doom; 
iiaiied from all moital view in darkness 

dread. 
Only llie siieetra! forms of woe and sin 
'I'hfo" the loni; years cold harlioraji'c 

fonnd therein. 



77//; r/:.\(!i:.iX(/: o/- ■/•///•; aonnKss 
/>/ i\ t.^ 

A\'ii Ailime the Norman rnled in Sicily 
At that mild season wlien the \ ei-nal sea, 
O'erllitted i>y the zephyr's frolic wint;;. 
Dances and dimples in the snule of 

sprim;' 
A s^'oodly ship siM sail npon Ihm- way 
From C'eos nnto Smvi-na: thrmniii the 

play 
Of v\a\e and snnheam tonchcd with fra- 

iXr.wW calm. 
She (lassed hy heanleous island shores of 

palm, 



Fntil so sweet the ttMider wooinu breeze, 

So franu'ln the lionrs w iih lialms of slnm- 
lifons case. 

That those who manned hei-. in the ge- 
nial air 

Aui\ dalliance of the time, fori^ot the 
care 

])ne to bcf conrses; in the bland sun- 
shine 

They lay enchanted, dreamini; dreams 
di\ inc. 

While idly driflinu on ;he halcyon 
w aler. 

The bark olievcd whatever currents 
canuht her. 

liorne onward thus for many a cloudless 

day. 
'I'hcy reach a! lenuth a w ide and woodctl 

bay. 
The haunt (d' birds whose ]mrplini; 

winu's in llii;'hl 
.Make cmmi the blnshfnl moniinu' seem 

more briu'ht. 
Flushed as with dart in;; rainbows; 

ihrouiih the fide, 
1>y overripe pomciiranate juices dye<l. 
And lavinu boughs of the wiUl lii; and 

-rape, 
Creal shoals of ilaz/.lin;; tidies madly 

ape 
The play of silver llnhtniniis in the deoj) 
Translueenf pools; the crew awoke from 

sice,.. 
<,>r i-alhcr that strange trance that on 

llieni pressed 
(hnnly as >lcep; yet si ill they loved to 

rcsi. 
Fanned by voluiitnous iiales, by mor- 
phea n languors blessed. 



* sixteen years ap;i\ in a vohuiu' of oom- 
jiar.'Uivoly yoi\tlifal versos, tlio aluivo iieom 
apiieared uiulor tlie title of " Arolio; a hijcnd 
of till inliiiiil tif ('(),<." The oi-ijiiiial narrative 
lias iu>« Iieeii iMretully rewritten and anienii- 
eil anil upwards ot :i liuiidred and titty lines 
of entirely new inaller liave been added thereto. 
So far as we know, tlie oiih iioel who li:is cele- 
brated tliis signilieant and heaiUiful tradition, 



is WiUi.'un :\loriis. in (li<' tirsi section of whose 
"Earthly Paradise" there is a story (oalled 
" Tlir Lndii o/llic l.nnil " ) founded upon some 
of its more obvious and poiiular incidents. 
Since Morris's wonderfid tales were not jml>- 
lished until ISliS, we ean. at least, assert tl»e 
humble elaini of ]iri'eedenee in the poetical 
treatment of llii:i legend. 



Till': i'/:y(JKANCJ'j of 'iiir: (kjddksh diasa. 



179 



The sliorc slojxid upward into foliagcd 


To search untravelled forests, and 


llills. 


stratige foes 


Clclt l)y llir cliaimcls of lock-fn-ttcd 


VaiKiuish l)y piiissance of kidghtly 


^•ills, 


blows. 


Tliat, llaslicd their wavcli'ls, toiichi'd by 


Or r(!scu(! maidens from Jiialigniuil 


iris lights, 


spells. 


(J'<;r many a tiny calaiact down the 


Enforced by horiles of wizaril sentinels. 


heights. 


So in the ardf>r of his martial glee, 




He clapped his hands and shoutt^d sud- 


Green vales there wcmc hetwceii, and 


denly : 


pleasant lawns 


"IIoI sirs, a ehailengel let us pieree 


Thick set wilii hlooni, like sheen of 


these wootls 


tropic dawns, 


Down to the core: explore their sol- 


IJrii;lilening the orient; fuitlier still the 


itudes. 


glades 


And mak<- the flowery (!m])ire all oiu- 


Of whisperous forests, flecked with 


own : 


golden shades, 


Who knows but we may conquer us a 


Stretched gliniincM-ing southward; on tlje 


throne? 


wood's far rim, 


At least, hold feats await us, grand em- 


Faintly discerned thro' veiling vapors, 


l)rise 


dim 


To win us favor in our lailies' eyes; 


As mists of Indian summer, the broad 


IJy heaven I he is a coward who delays." 


view 




AVas clasped by mountains flickering in 


So saying, all his countenance ablaze 


the blu<! 


With passionate zeal, the youth sprang 


And hazy distance; overall there himg 


lightly up. 


The morn's eternal beauty, calm and 


And with ri.iiht lusty motion, filled a 


young. 


cup — 


Anud the throng, each with a marvel- 


They brought him straightway — to the 


ling face 


glistening brim 


Turned on that island ?Meii and its 


With Cyprus wine: "Now glory unto 


grace, 


him. 


Was one — Avolio — a brav(! youth of 


The ardent kniglit, no mortal danger 


Florence, 


daunts, 


.S(df-exiled from ids country, in abhor- 


Whose constant soul a fiery impulse 


rence 


haunts, 


Of the base, bloiil-stained tyrants dom- 


Which spurs him onward, onward, to 


inant there. 


the end; 




Pledge we the brave! and may St. Frmo 


A gentleman he was, of gracious air. 


send 


And liberal as the summer, skilled in 


Success to crown our valiantesti " 


lore 


This said. 


<^f arms, and chivalry, and many more 


Avolio shoreward leaped, and with him 


Deep sciences which others left un- 


le<l 


learned. 


The whole ship's company. 


lie, loved adventure: how his spirit 




burned 


A motley band 


Within him, when, as now, a chancf; 


Were they who mustered round him on 


arose 


the strand, 



180 



LEGEWDS AM) JAIllVS. 



Mixtnl knights and tnulers; tlif first tirtnl 

lor toil 
Wliii'li proMiist'd glory; the last ktH'u for 

spoill 
Thii)" bivczy paths anil hods of hlossoni- 

ing thyme 
Ki'pl fresh by seeriM springs, the show- 
ery eliin\e 
Of whose clear falling waters in the dells 
Played like an airy peal of eltin hells — 
Willi eager minds, hut aimless, idle 

feet 
{Tlie scene about them was so lon(> and 

sweet 
It spelled their steps), "mid labyrinths 

of tU>\\('rs, 
r>y mossy streams and in deep shadowed 

bowers, 
Tlu'v strayeil from charm to charm 

thro' lengths of langixid hours. 
In Iliickets of wild fein and rustling 

broom. 
The humble bee bu/.zed past them 

with a l)oom 
Of insect thmider; and in glens afar 
The golden tiretly — a small animate 

star — 
shone from the twilight of the darkling 

lea\es. 
High noon it was. but dusk like mellow 

e\e"s 
Keigned in the wooil's deep places, 

whence it seemed 
That Hashing locks and (|uick arch 

glances gleamed 
From t'ves scarce human. Thus the 

fancy deemeil 
Of those most given to marvels; the rest 

laughed 
A merry jeering laugh; and many a 

"shaft 
LauncluHl Uou\ the Norman cross tow, 

Ijiereed the nooks. 
Or I'left the shallow clunuu^ls of the 

brooks. 
Whence, as the credulous swore, an Ore- 

atl shy, 
Or a glad nymph,, had peeped out cun- 
ningly. 



Thus wandering, they reached a sombre 

mound 
Kising abruptly from the level ground. 
And planted thick with dim funereal 

trees. 
Whose foliage waved and murnuued, 

tho" the ln'ceze 
Had sunk to midiughl (piiet. and the sky 
.lust o'er the place seemed locked in 

apathy. 
Like a fair face wan with the sudden 

stroke 
Of death, or heart-break. Not a word 

they spi)ke, 
r>ut paused w ith w itle, hew ildered, gleam- 
ing eyes. 
Standing at ga/.e; what si)ectral terrors 

rise 
And coil aboiu their hearts with serpent 

fold. 
And oil! what loathly scene is this they 

hold, 
(Jrasping with unwiidving vision, as they 

creep, 
ITrged by their very horror, up the 

steep, 
Aiul the whole preternatural landscape 

dawns 
Freezingly on them; a broad stretch of 

law US, 
Sown w ith raid; poisonous grasses, where 

the dew 
Of hovering exhalations flickered blue 
And wavering on the dead-still atmos- 
phere — 
Dead-still it was, and yet the grasses 

sere 
Stirred as with horrid life amiilst the 

sickening glare. 
The atYrighted crew, all save Avolio, tied 
In wild disorder from this place of 

dread; 
In him, albeit his tenor whispered 

••tly!-' 
The spell of some uueouth necessity 
IJalUed retreat, and ruthless, scourged 

him on; 
Meanwhile, the sun thro' darkening va- 

]>ors shone. 



Tin: \i:\(i/:.\y('h' of riii<: uuddess diasa. 



181 



Nigh to his setting, and a sikNUmi i)iast — 
.Sudden and ciiill — woUc slirilly up, and 

l)assc(l 
Willi gliostly din and tunmll; airy 

souinis 
Of s\l\an lioi-ns, and swcr]) ot ciiclinn 

iioinids 
Xt'arinii tlie (juarry. Now tlu; wizard 

cliase 
Swept faintly, faintly U|> tiic fields of 

spac(!. 
And now with haekuard iiisliiiiii whirl 

loai'ed l)y 
Loudei' and fierrcr. liH a maddeninj^ 

ci-y — 
A bitter shriek of lunnan a,<,'ony — 
Leajied up, and died amid the stillini; 

y.'ll 
Of brutes alliirsi fmldnod: a crownin.i; 

swell 
Of savage Iriiunph followed, mixed with 

wails 
Sad as the dying songs of nightingales, 
Murnnu'ing the nam(! Acta'on! 

Even as one, 
A wrapt sleep-walker, through the shad- 
ows dun 
Of half oblivious sense, with soulless 

gaze, 
Goes idly journeying through uncertain 

ways. 
Thus did Avolio. sore perplexed in mind 
(Kxeess of mystery made his spirit 

blind). 
Grope through the gloom. ,\non he 

reached a foiuit 
Whose watery columns had long ceased 

to mould 
Above its ]iroslrate 'I'ritons. Near at 

hand. 
DammcMl up in pari l>y heaps of tawny 

sand. 
All dull and lustreless, a streandet 

wound 
By trickling Ijanks, with dark, dank 

foliage crowned. 
'I'liat gloomed "twixt sullen tides and 

lowering sky; 
'J'he melancholy waters seemed to sigh 



In wailful murmurs of articulate 

woe. 
Till at the last arose this sti'ange dirge 

from below: 

!so\(i oi- I'lii; iMi'i;is()M';i) naiad. 

''\\'o<'! woe is inel the centuries pass 
away, 
'j'he mortal si^asons lun t heir ceasehiss 
rounds. 
While here 1 wither for the sunbright 
day. 
Its genial sights and sounds. 
Woe! woe is me! 

'■ One siunmei' night, in ages long agone, 
1 saw my woodland lover leave the 
brake; 
I heard him plaining on the pea<'eful 
lawn 
A plaint ' for my sweet sake.' 
Woe! woe is me! 

'■ .Mv hi'art upsprang to answer that fond 

Ihit suddeidy the star-t^irt planets 
paled. ' 
And high into the w(dkin's glimmering 
gray 
Maje.stic Dian sailed! 

Woe ! w ()(! is me ! 

"She swejit aloft, bold almost as the 
sun. 
And wrathftd red as fiery-crested Mars; 
.\h!then I knew some fearful deed was 
don(! 
On earth, or in the stars. 

Woe! woe is me! 

"With ghastly fare ujiraised. and shuil- 
dering throat. 
1 watched the omen with a jireseient 
pain; 
When, lightning-barbed, a beamy arrow 
smote, 
Or wcjiied to smite, my brain. 
Woe! woe is me! 



182 



LEOKNP.^ AM> /,)/.•/(•>■. 



■•Olilivit>n flaspfd Mu", till 1 woke for- 
lorn. 
I'Vltoivd ami sorrow ini; on i his lonely 
boil. 
Shiil t'rt>iM the mill lil'iil kisses of the 
morn — 
Karth's niories ov<-rhoatl. 

\Vi>eI woe is mo! 

"Tho south wiml stirs (he sedges into 
song, 
Tho bKissomiug myitles seoiit the en- 
ii moved air; 
l>nt still, soro moaning for another's 
wrong, 
I pino in sadness hero. 

A\'oe! woe is mo! 

'*AIas ! alasl the weary eontnrios 
llee. 
Tlio waning seasi>ns perish, dark ov 
bright ; 
My grief alone, like some eharmed poi- 
son-tree. 
Kiu'ws not an antunm blight. 
Woe! woo is mo!" 



The mournful sounds swi>oned otY. biU 

Keho rose, 
And bore I hem up di\ inel\ to a eloso 
(>f rare mysterii>us sweetness ; ne\er- 

more 
Shall mortal w iuds to listening worn! and 

shore 
Waft sueh heart-melting nuisie. "Whoro, 

oh! whore," 
Avolio nmrmurod — "'to what haunted 

sphere — 
lias fate at length my errant footsteps 

bri>ught :' ■' 

Lauui'lied on a batlling sea of nustie 
thought. 

His reason in a whirling oliaos, lost 

( "ompass and ohart and headway, vague- 
ly tossed 

'Mill shifting shapes of winged fanta- 



, I list then, uplifting liis bewildered eyes. 
j lie saw. half hid in shade, on either 
i hand, 

Twin pillars of a massive gateway grand 
j With gold and earviugs; elose behind it 
stood 

.V sombie mairsion in a lieeeli tree wood. 

Long wroatlis of ghostly ivy on its walls 
(.^>ui\erod like goblin tapestry, or palls. 
Tattered and rusty, mildewod in the oliill 
Of dreadful vaults; aeross oaeh window 

sill 

Curtains of w eird ile\ ice and liery hue 

llmig moveless. — only when ihe sun 
gltiueod through 

Tho gathering gloom, the hieroglyphs 
took form 

And life and aetiou, and the w holo grew 
warm 

With meanings battling to Avolio's 
sense; 

lie stood expeetant, trembling, with in- 
tense 

l>reail in his oyos, and yet a struggling 
faith, 

A'ital at heart. A sudden passing 
breath — 

Was it the wiml? — thrilled by his ting- 
ling oar, 

Waving the eurtains inward, and his 
fear 

I'prose vietorious. foi- a serpent shape. 

Tall, supple, wiithing, with miiliguant 

\ Whieh showed its eruol fangs — hissed 

in the gleam 
' Its own fell eyeballs kindled! Oh! su- 
premo 
The horror of that vision! — as he 

ga/.ed, 
Irresolnte. all wordless, and amazed. 
The monster disajipoaroil — a moment 

sped ! 
The next it fawned before him on a bed 
Of searlet poppies. "Speak," Avolio 

said; 
•'What art tliou ".' Speak! 1 oharge 
tlu'e in (iod's name! " 



77/A' \i:.\(IEA.\cr. OF Till': COhhHss hlAXA. 



\m 



A (IfJllll ciild sllll(l(l<'lsci/.r.| llic McrpCIlt's 


The Island's faUid (jiioen ? " "Yea, 


Irilllir. 


vci'ily," 


lis lill'^c lliriial Wlil liril, whriicc hilli- 


A \ olio cried, "thou ail, lli;d, lliiiii; of 


liliii'4 w il li .-I 1 liriic 

< >r liidi'Dll^ ilii|i(ir'l. ,1 \i)iri' llilii ;illi| liiU' 


.!■•... ./I •' 


.Sliaiply llic, scrpciil ntiscd ils t,dillcriiij^ 


IJinkr lik.. :i iiMKMini rill: '• n.ihink 


\u-.m\ 


llicr w.'ll, 


And Iroiil. Ifiiipcsl nous: ""Iloldl no 


'I'll is isle is Cos, <>r W hirli (>|i| Icnrliils li'li 


lon;^ui! save, mine 


Sllcli IlliU'Vcls. Il;i>l, lliull IKMT In;il(l 


.MiisLol' llK'se iniscrujs tell thee! 'I'lieii 


of llir, 


iiiclliie 




"A nioiiKlcr iiii-il )i>i- 'I'll ri Mills, a lliiiit; 
Whereon iiiL-ii gaze willi aui: ami ,'!iuc|iliTiii(,'." 



Tliiiie ear to tlie dark story of my 

'^rief. 
And wiiii thiiKj car yield, yiidd me Ihy 

I.elief. 
I''<jul as I am, tliert! v^an a lime, 

<) youth, 

When these (ieree eyes VVCrc foUUtS of 

lo\e and Iriilli ; 
'I'iiere iriix a tiiiM- when woman's 

hioomiiiK urae(! 
(.lowed Ihrou;^!) the lliisji ot' roses in 

ni\ laee; 
Wlien — liiil I sinned a deep and danin- 

iiej sin. 



'I'lie fruil. of lustful jiride nurlured 

u iiliin 
IJy weird. forliiddeii kno\\led^(! — I 

(jelled 

The iii;(liL's immaeiilale j^oddess, jmrest 

eyed. 
And holiest of immortals; I denied 
The eternal Tower that looks so eold and 

ealm; 
Therefore, O straiif,'er, am I what I. 

am. 
A monster meet for Tartarus, a thin;^ 
Wlieicoii men gaze with awe and shud- 

deriuf,', 



IS4 



I.IXiKyVS AND Lriiics. 



\\\d stivss ot inwanl tonor; through all " l.ailvl"" tho kniiiht saul. " it" in soolh 



tuu>\ 



tJioii art 



Powu lo tho la-il ago. iny ahhonvil A maid ami humaiu \\ hoivtoiv thus ilo- 

oriiuo par; 

Must hoKl luo piisiMior in this vilo From truth's plain path to hliml mo".' 



aboilo. 



woll I know 



l'uhx>i aoiiu- itiiuu htrin-hcai-tt'd as a This Dian. faimnl ami worshippoil long 



Itohhr than .\'ni.i\ tutrc{fuUij {hiju 
To kha luv OH t/w Dtonth ! " ^ 

Sho toworoil attiain, 
With sparkling orost. ami imivoi-sal 

thrill 
<.M' fivn/.ioil oagvnioss. that soiinotl to 

till 
Uor oavornous oyos with jots of Imiil 

tiiv. 
rulsoil tixnn tho huruiug ooro of unap- 

l^asoil ilosiiY. 



agx> 
By hoathon folk, was as tho iiUo fumo 
FornuHl into shifting shapos of vapoivus 

hloouj 
O'or hor vaiti altars. Ah I" (ho shml- 

doivil now. 
Ui\»w iug iloath-palo from tronuilous ohiu 

to bivw ) 
"J/i. (■()(? .' 7 caiuiot A/.s.N- titcf .' No'or- 

tholoss. 
Fain am 1 in tho truo luul's uamo to hloss. 
And ovou to mark thoo with His sjtoivil 

on>ssI" 



Baok stoppoil .Vvolio with a loathing \ As ono woighod down by anguish and 

foar. 1 tho loss 

t>iok to tho inmost soul; thon did ho [ Of ono last hopo. in faltoring tonos and 



hoar 



sad 



Tho awful oroaturo vont a tortmvd 1 Tho sorpont spako; ■" IVom'st thou that 



groan. 



nian hail 



Uor frantio nook and dragon's foroht^ul ' No lifo but that whorow ith hor votarios 



tluvwn 
Madlv to oarth, whoroon awhilo sho 

lay, 
Horglanoos voilod. hor ilark oivst tnrnod 

away. 

As thus sho gi\>volKd. ((uivoring on tho 

gi\nmd. 
8tolo through tho Invoding siloiuv a 

faint sound 



vaut 
hiYostod a vaguo imago of tho bi-ain ? 
Nay, sho both jckm and tritvS not. as on 

oarth, 
F.von to this day. full many a thing fivm 

birth 
To doath la{vsos aliko thivugh baito and 

bliss; 
Full many a thing, whioh is not and 

yot is. 
As 'twoiv of hopoloss griof — it soomod I 8avo to man's purblind vision; — ii\ tho 



to Iv 
.V human voioo wooping lunv pitoously I 
Yot its doop passion striving to sul>- 

duo. 
Just thon tho sorpoitt writhod hor folds 

auow. 
And whilo fivm oarth hor honvnt oivst 

sho iv.Hrs, 



ond 
Some oloaivr spirits tnay riso to ooinpit^ 

bond 
This sti*ang»» onigmal but moanwhilo. 

nioanwhilo 
Tho smv hoavous ohangt* not, star and 

sunboam smilo 
Fivir as of votv; otornal natutv koo^^ 



Tho lo;, hly oivatmv's faoo is batlnnl in Uor stivngth and boanty. though tho 



toarsl 



mortal wtvj^ 



riih: yi:s(!i:.\S('F. of tiif (lonni'.ss diasa. is5 



III (Irsoliilioli! oil! ucrl lliKii lull Hue 
Ami lir.'ivc «'ii()\v I his tliiii;j; I ask to do, 
'I'lii'ii liiiiiiiiii, liiippv. lu'iiiilcoiis would 1 

l.r. 

\ {• iiiriciiiii (Jods! once iiKirc!" 

'I'lirli slldilcllly 
She wiillicd lirr \:isl iirrk nuiiKJ, iicr 

^lillrriiij; crest, 
Ciist liilcUwiird o'er the licicr, I iiiiiiill ii- 

oiis hrciisl, 
lied iis II stormy simsi^l — with a nioiiii, 
" Pass on. weak soul!" she said, " leave 

nil' iiliiiic ; '" 
■riic'ii. wildly. •'<;.)! I would not <Mtch 

lililie eye; 
(,'(>, <iii<l hr . •<(!/< ! tor swil'll\, riiiioiisly, 
8urges a ciiirl ilioii'_;lil lliroiinh all my 

hl.M.d, 

AikI iIk' liriitc iiisliiicis turn toliMrdi' 

lin..<l 

Of Vfiiuvriil impulse all my uviiller 

frame: 
do! for I would iiol harm thee; yet a 

llame 
Ol lilasiiii!4 lormeiils h;i\c I power to 

raise 
'riiroiiuli all thy heiiiL;, and mine eyes 

fnul<l -a/,.', 

(ilontinu on jiaiii. is this no! Iiorri 

hi.'?" 
And therewithal the wreielied nioiister 

fell 
'I'o (i|ieii wi'epini;, with sad fioiil, and 



Sniiielhin'4 in siieli h;ise erilelly a\owed, 
r.leiil w ilh Ihe softrr w ill which disiil- 

lowed 
lis exercise, so on ,\\cilio wrought. 
That sore perph'xed, rcvoUini; many a 

llioiiiihl. 
Me liiii;erei| still, lost in a s]iiritn;il mist ; 
Hut whi'ii the nioiilh that wailed to lie 

kissed, 
FriiiL;c(l with a yellow foam, malignly 

I'ose 
lleforc him, his first fear its tcrrilile 

fhroes 



Kenewed. ••Aiiil liow, O haleful 

shape! "' siiid he — 
Strivim; to speak in pasnioidess tones, 

and free — 
" lIow can 1 tell, what- certain t^ai^c have 

1, 
That- this slrani^e kiss thine awful des- 

liny 
lliilh not ord;iiiicd — the least elahoratc 

plan 
Wherchy lo snare :ind slay me?" "<) 

miin ! ni:i ii ! " 
The serpent answered, wilh a hd'lier 

mien — 
A voice urown clear, majestic and se- 
rene — 
"Shall jiKilhr .-ilways Iriiiniph'.' the 

hase mould 
Mask the immortal esseiice. iincoiil rolled 
Sa\'(^ liy your urovcllini; fancies mean 

" and cold ■.' 
Oi^reeii and h:ippy woods, hreat hiiii;- like 

sleep! 
<) (piiet hahitiiMt-s of i)laees dee]) 
In leafy shades, thai, dra-w your pencefnl 

hreat lis, 
I'assint;' fair lives to rest in Iranipiil 

.Icaths! 
() earlh! <> sea! (> lieaAciis! forever 

diimli 
To man, w hile a^es i;o and a^cs come 
Mysterious, have the dark h'ates willed 

it so 
That. iie\ einioi-e Ihe sons of men shall 

know 
The secret of your silence? Ihe wide 

(Jranli'd your haskiiiu; pleasures, and 
sw<'el hope, 

l!e\ived in \crnal warmth and .spriiii^- 
I idi' rains, 

^'oiir Ion-, loin:: pleasures, and your 
Meet inn jiaiiis '.' 

And miisl Ihe lack of what is lirave and 
Iriie. 

l'"roni olher souls, callous or hlind there- 
to, 

l'"riim whal themsch'es heaiiteous and 
t rulhful are, 



181) 



LEUKWDS AXD LYlilCS. 



PitYci' for ayo as ulow-wonus t'loiii a 

star ? 
Is siu'h our lil\'"s doiTolal ? Shall llio 

I'ailh 
Whik'li I'Ni'u. iuM'i'hanr«\ iho cloarost 

spiiii halh 
In i;ood within us. always jmovi> less 

hoKl 
Than koou suspicious, nin-sod by i'ra\(Mi 

iloubt. 
C'*!' li'carluM'ous ills, and evil tVoui with- 
out ■;■' 
'Plu'u, aliiM- pau-^o. with passion: "' C> 

ftt'iii 
Ami blauiUHMiiiiniiit's. that bivatho and 

biu'u 
'riuoujihout oivatiou. aiv wo but tho 

nioios 
In sonio \amu' dream that idly sways 

and lloats 
To ui>thini;ui'ss ".' or ait> yinir ulorios 

poui 
Within oursolvos. to riso onuupoioiit 
In bloom and mnsio, wlion wc bond 

abovo. 
And wako thorn by tho kisst>s ot' our 

iovo'.' 
1 yoai'u to lio niado boautit'ul. Ala^I 
Uoanty itsolt' loiW\s imi. proparod to pass. 
In hardonod disboliot'I v)ir aotion kind 
\\'ould t'loo and savo mo — why art tlum 

so blind. 
Avolio ? " Whilo sho si>oko. a tin\orous 

haro. 
Soaiod by a tliroatoninu' t'aloon lVon> its 

lair. 
Unshod to tho sorpont's sido. With 

foudlinu' touiiuo 
8he soothod it as a luolhor soothos hor 

yonn^. 

Avolio nuisod : "('an innooont things 

likothis 
Tako rofuji'o by hor ? thon. porohanoo. 

somo gxH>J. 
Somo toudornoss. it" rightly nndorstood. 
Lurks in hor naturo. / iciU ilothi' deed .' 
V/trifi( iitui the Vinjin mtve nw ut my 



lio sii^iit'd thi> monstor noaror. olosod 

his oyos. 
And with somo natural -ihuddorim;-. somo 

doop siiihsl 
Oavo up Ids palliil lips to tl\o foul kiss ! 
^^'hat follow od thon ? a traitorous sor- 

pont hiss, 
sharpor for triumph ? Ah I not so — ho 

folt 
A warm. rioh. yoarning month approaoh 

and molt 
In lauuuid. loving swootnoss i>u his own. 
And two fond arms i-arossinjily woro 

throw u 
Abmit his nook, and mi his bosom 

prossod 
Tw in lilios of a snow w hito viriiin broast. 

Ho raist>d his oyos. roloasod from briof 

ilospair; 
Thoy rostod on a maiilon tall and fair — 
Fair as tho troi>io morn, whon morn is 

now — 
And hor sw 001 glanoossmoto him through 

and through 
With snob koon thrilling rai>turothat ho 

sw oro 
His willing hoart should <\ormoro adoro 
Uor lo\ oliuoss. auil woo hor till ho diod. 

■■ 1 am thino own." sho whisiH-rod. "■ thy 
truo brido. 

If thon w ilt tako mo! "" 

Hand in liand thoy strayod 

Adown tho shadows through tho wood- 
land glado. 

Whouoo ovorv ovil intluonoo shrank 
afraid. 

And routid thom pourod tho goldon ovon- 
lido. 

Swiftly tho tidings of this strange ovont 

Abroad on all tho garrulous wimls woro 
sont. 

Konsinu an oauor w orld to w ondormont I 



I . 



Now 'mid ih.> ktiightly oompanios that 

oamo 
I'o visit Cos. was that bravo ohiof, by 

fa mo 



7///-; HO LIT AID' LAKH. 



1H7 



Exaltod for IidIiI deeds :iii(l liiilli divine, 
So nolily sliowii erewliile in I'iilcsliiK! — 
'l':inei'ed, ,S;ilerno"s I'rinee — lie eanie in 

si lit e, 
Willi jciinseoie i;oi',;;eous Inures, small 

;ind !;l'eilt, 
Willi |"iiii|i and niusie, like an ocean 

Kah- 
ilis lila/.oned prows aloiin llie L;liMiniei'- 

ill'4' sea 
Spread like an eastern siiniise i^lorioiisly. 

Iliiii and his f<illo\vers <lid Avolio i'easi 
i;i-lil ro\ally, Iml wlieii llie niirlli iii- 

eiva-ed, 
Anil Joyoiis-w inu'ed jests he^aii to pass 
AIhjvc llie sparkling' cups of llippoenis, 
Tancred arose, and in his com'tly phrase. 
Invoked dcli;,dil and lentjthof prosperous 

days 
To crow n that nianie union; one vai;ii(! 

doiilil 
The I'rinee di I iiio\e, and this he dared 

speak out, 
i>nt with serene and teniiiered eourlesy : 
•■ ll eollld not lie t hat their sweet luisLess 

still 
Wor>liii>)ied Diana and her heathen 

Wilf ';'•' 

"All sir! not- so!"' Axolio lliishiim' 

cried, 

" IJiil Chiist the Lord 1 " 

No siniile word replied 
The heantcous lady, i)iit willi identic pride 
And a cpiick motion to A\t)lio's side 
She drew more; closely by a littk^ space, 
(Ja/.iiiLj \\''\i\\ modest, i)assioii in his face. 
As OIK! wlio yearned to w hisper tenderly : 
'* O, brave, kind hearl I I worslii[) <iniy 
tliofi!" 



THE soi.riwi: v lake. 

FiJOM parish liiiht and life apart. 
Shrined in the woodland's secret heart. 
With deli(!atc mists of moriiiiij,' furled 
FantasMc o'er its shallow y world, 



The lake, a \ai)orous vision, ffl(;ajns 
So vaifiiely brij;ht, my fancy deems 
"I'is l)ut, an airy laki; of di'eams. 

Dreamlike, in ciu'ves of palest fi;old, 
'{'he waveriuj^ mist-wreaths manifold 
I'art in lonj;' rifts, throni;li which 1 view 
(Jray i.sh^ts Ihroiied in tides as blue 
As if a, piece of hea\ en wit hdraw n — 
Whence hints of sunrise Idiich ihe 

daw 11 — 
Had bronnht lo earth its sapphire f;low, 
And smiled, a. second lie:i\cii, below. 

Dreamlike, in litfiil, mnrniiiroiis sii^lis, 

1 hear the distant west wind rise. 

And, down Ihe hollows waiidcriiifj,', 

break 
In i;ur,uiiii,L;' ri[)ples on the lake, 
Kouud which the vapors, still outsjjrcad, 
.Mount wanly w idcninii oveihead. 
Till Hushed by morniiu;"s prinirose-i'cd. 

Dreamlike, each slow, soft-pulsiuu; surtje 
I lath lappeil the calm lake's emerald 

\ eri,'e, 

Seiidiim. w lieie'er its tremors pass 
Low w hisperiiiL;s lliroUL;h t lu' dcw-w(!t 

u;rass; 
i"'aiiit tlirills of fairy sound that cree]( 
To fall in neinhboriiiL;' no(jks asleep, 
<)rmelt in rich, low warblinns mail(i 
IJy some winucil .Arit.'l of llii' ulade. 

With bri'^htenini;' morn the mockbinrs 

lay 
(ilrows sironi;('r, mellower: faraway 
'.Ari(] dusky reeds, which c\cii the noon 
Li.ij;lits not, the lonely-hearted loon 
.Makes answer, her shrill music shorn 
Of half ils sadness; day. I'lill-born, 
Doth loiii all sounds and sights forlorn. 

.All! still a, some! hini; strange and ran; 
O'ei'i'iiles this tran(|iiil earth and ail', 
Castinn o'er both a i;laiiioiir known 
To ///c/r enclianted realm alone; 
Whence shines, iis 'twen; a spirit's face, 
The sweet coy i,fenius (jf the place. 



188 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



You lake beheld as if in trance, 
The beauty of wliose shy romance 
I feel — whatever shores and slcies 
May charm heneefortli my wondering 

eyes, — 
kShall rest, undimmed by taint or stain, 
'Mid lonely byways of the brain. 
There, with its haunting grace, to seem 
ISet in the landscape of a dream. 



THE VOICE IN THE FIXES. 

The morn is softly beautiful and still, 
Its light fair clouds in pencilled gold 
and gray 
Pause motionless above the pine-grown 

hill. 
Where the pines, tranced as by a wiz- 
ard's will. 
Uprise as unite and motionless as 
they! 

Yea! mute and moveless; not one illck- 
ering s])ray 
Flashed into sunlight, nor a gaunt 
bough stirred ; 
Yet, if wooed hence benoatli those pines 

to stray. 
We catch a faint, thin murmur far away, 
A bodiless voice, by grosser ears un- 
heard. 

What voice is this ? what low and sol- 
enm tone. 
Which, tliough all wings of all the, 
winds seem furled. 
Nor even the zepliyr's fairy flute is blown. 
Makes thus forever its mysterious moan 
From out tlie whispering pine-tops' 
shadowy world ? 

Ah ! can it be the antique tales are true ? 
Dotli some lone Dryad haunt the 
breezeless air. 
Fronting yon bright immitigal)le blue, 
And wildly breathing all her wild soul 
through 
That strange unearthly music of de- 
spair ? 



Or can it be that ages since, storm- 
tossed. 
And driven far inland from the roar- 
ing lea, 
Some baffled ocean-spirit, worn and lost, 
Here, through dry sinnmer's deax'th and 
winter's frosl, 
Y^earns for the sharp, sweet kisses of 
the sea ? 

Whate'er the spell, I hearlten and am 
dumb. 
Dream-touched, and musing in the 
tranquil morn; 

All woodland sounds — the pheasant's 
gusty drum. 

The mock-bird's fugue, tlie droning in- 
sect's hum — 
Scarce heard for that sti-ange, sorrow- 
ful voice forlorn! 

Beneath the drowsed sense, from deep to 

deep 
Of spiritual life its mournful minor 

flows, 
Streandike, with pensive tide, mIiosc 

currents keep 
Low murnun-ing 'twixt the bounds of 

grief and sleep. 
Yet locked for aye from sleep's divine 

repose. 



VISIT OE THE 1VHEXS. 

FLYix(i from out the gusty west. 
To seek the place where last year's nest, 
Kagged, and torn by many a rout 
Of winter winds, still rocks about 
The branches of the gnarled old tree 
Which sweep my cottage library — 
Here on the genial southern side. 
In a late gleam of sunset's pride. 
Came back my tiny, springtide friends. 
The self-same pair of chattering wrens 
That with arch eyes and restless bill 
Used to frequent yon window sill, 
Winged sprites, in Ai)rirs showery 
Ldow. 



VISIT TO THE WEENS. 



189 



'Tis now twi'lve weary niontlis ayo 
Since first 1 saw tlioni; liere again 
'riicy drop outside tlic gliltcring pane, 
Each bearing a dried twig or leaf, 
To build with labor hard, yet brief. 
This season's nest, wlicic, blue and 

round, 
Their fairy eggs will soon l)e found. 
IJut sky and breeze and blithesome sun, 
L'nlil that little home is done. 
Shall — wondering, mayl)e — lu-ar and 

see 
Such chatter, bustle, industry, 
As well may stir to emulous strife 
Slow currents of a languid life, 
Wlietlier in bird oi' num they run! 

But when, in sooth, the nest complete 
Swings gently in its green retreat. 
And soft the mother birdling's breast 
Uoth in the <:ozy circlet rest, 
How, back from jovial journeying, 
-Merry of heart, though worn of wing. 
Her brown mate, proudly perched above 
The lind) that holds his brooding love. 
His head upturned, his aspect sly, 
Regards her with a cunning eye, 
As one who saith, " How well you bear 
The dullness of these duties, dear; 
To dwell so long on nest or tree 
Would be, I know, slow death to me; 
But, then, you women folk Mere made 
For patient waiting, in — the shade!" 

So tame one little guest l)ecomes — 
"Tis the male bird — my scattered 

crumbs 
He takes from window sill and lawn 
Each morning in the early dawn ; 
^Vnd yesterday he dared to staml 
Serenely on my outstretched hand. 
While his wee wife, with puzzled 

glance, 
Looked fi'om her breezy s(\vt askance! 

My pretty pensioners ! ye have flown 
Twice from your winter nook unknown. 
To build yotu- lunnble homestead here. 
In the first flusli of springtide cheer; 



But ah! 1 wonder if again, 
Flitting outside the window pane, 
When next the shrewd March winds 

sliall blow. 
Or in mild April's showers glow. 
New come from out the shimmering 

west, 
You'll seek the place of this year's 

nest, 
Eagged and torn by then, no doubt, 
And swinging in worn shreds about 
The branches of the ancient tree. 

Nay, who may tell '? Yet, verily, 
Methinks when, spring and summer 

passed, 
Adown the long, low autumn blast. 
In some dim gloaming, cliill and drear, 
You, with your fledglings, disappear. 
That ne'er by porch or tree or pane 
Mine eyes shall greet your forms again! 

What then '? At least the good ye 

brought. 
The delicate charms for eye and thought 
Survives; though death should be your 

doom 
Before another spring flower's bloom, 
Or fairer clime should tempt your wings 
To bide 'mid fragrant blossomings 
On some far Southland's golden lea, • 
Still may fresh spring morns light for 

me 
Your tiny nest, their breezes bear 
Your chirping, household joyance near 
And all your quirks and tricksome ways 
Bring back through many smiling days 
Or future Aprils; not the less 
Your sim])le drama shall impress 
Fancy and heart, thus. acted o'er 
Toward each small issue, as of yore, 
With sun and wind and skies of blue 
To witness, wondering, all yon do. 
Because your ha])py toil and mirth 
May be of fine, ideal birth; 
Because each ({uick. impulsive note 
May thrill a visionary throat. 
Each flash of glancing wing and eye 
Be gleams of vivid fantasy; 



I>>1» 



iSiiu'o wiiatsoo'or ot' (o\u\ aiul loiu- 

A past roality liaih knowr.. 

Most ohanuiiij;' imio soul ami souse. 

l>ut wius that subllo otlhuMuo. 

That s[>iritual air whii-h softly oliusjs 

About all swtvt auil vanislnHi lliiusis. 

Causinij a hygouo Joy to bo 

Vital as aotuality. 

Vi't with oai'h oarthlior tint or traiv 

Lost in a |nuv. othoival jiraool 



LEGENDS AN J) LYJilVS. 

Shy t'oruis al>out llu> urotMiorx . out and 

irios of 



FOU'rsr rnrriiKs. 

MOIiMNci. 

O (iijAi loi s broaih of suinisol ilivino 

ail! 
Thai biooil'st soivnoly o'er tho \mv- 

pling hills; 
(.> blissful valloysl nostling. oool ami 

fair. 
In I ho fond aims of yoiidor n>iuniur- 

ous rills. 
Hivathing thoir iji'atoful uioasuivs to tho 

sun ; 
(.> ilow-bosprinkU'd paths, that I'iivlinu 

run 
'riuon^h sylvan shados and soloniu si- 

loiu'os. 
C^uoo nioro yo brinu' luy fo\oroil spirit 

l>oaoo I 

Tho titfnl broozos. frauuhi with forost 
bahn. 
Faint, in raro wafts of porfumo. on my 
brow ; 



I'Mii "uoath tho broadouiu: 

tho morn : 
Tho s<|uirrol — that ((uaiui sylvan liarlo- 

(luin — 
Mounts tho tall trunks; \\hilo swift as 

light uiuu. born 
Of sumiuor mi>ts, from tanulod vino and 

t r<>o 
Pan iho dovo's pinions, pulsing vividly 
Pow n tho donso glados. till glinuuoring 

far ami gray 
Tho dusky vision softly molts a\\a> I 

In transiont. ploasod bt>\\ iUlormoin I 

mark 
Tho last dim shiu\u\or of thoso losson- 

iug wings. 
Whon from loU(> oo]>so ami sliadowy 

I'ln ort, hark! 
What niolKnv touguo through all tho 

woodland rings I 
Tho door-houuil's voioo. swoot a-^ tho 

goldon boll's, 
rrolongoil by (lying oohoos round tho 

' dolls. 
And up tho loft lost summits wildly 

borno. 
lUont with tho blast ofsomo koon hunts- 
man's horn. 

.Vnd now tho ohookorod valo is loft bo- 
hiud ; 
1 olimb tho slopo. and roaoh tho hill- 
top bright : 



Tho wovon lights and shadows, rifo with i lloro. in bold frooilom. swoUs a sovor- 



oalm, 
froop slantwiso 'twixt tho foliago. 
bough on bough 
I'pliftod hoavonward. liko a vordaut 
olouvl 



oign wind. 
Whoso gusty prowoss swoops thopii\o- 
olad hoight ; 
While tho pinos — ilroainy Titans rousod 
fivni sloop — 



Whoso rain is nuisio. soft as lovo. or > Answer with mighty voioes, deep on 



loud 



dooji 



With jubilant hope — for there, on- l^f wakened foliago snrgiitg liko a 

tranooil. apart. ( sea; 

Tho mook-bit\l sing-s. close, close to Xa- And o'er thorn smiles Heaven's calm 



lure's heart. 



int'mitvl 



pr^-^BJ^-T^r^'^^^^f ""^"^^F'" 




'Till! w<)V(Mi IIkIiIh jiikI hIijiiIowh, ri(r- wllli 
Crecii HiatitwiHi- 'iwixl tin-, roli;)K<;, bough 



(JULJJKN DKLL. — ASl'KCTH Oh' Till': I'lSKS. 



Hi J 



OOLDEN DELL. 

Hi;v«)Ni) our inoHH-growii piilliway lioH 
A il<'ll so fair, to f^oiiial fy<!s 
It <la\viin an ovcr-lrcsli siirpriHc! 

'I'o loiicli ils cliiirm.s with \if\\\V'Y <^vM'y,, 
'I'lu- Hoftcii(!(| ii(!av<;ii.s a loviii;^ l'a<;(; 
Hriid o'er that H\V(!(!t, «<;(,•! iiil<'<l plaf^c. 

'j'inri' (iisl, (ics|)il.it llic .M;iirli wjikI'm 

col. I, 
Ah(»\i' Uh' pali'-liiicil CUM r,i|il nioiiM 
'J'Ik! carli<-st .s])riii;;-tiiht lunls niirojil; 

'I'lifH! first tlio anient jnoci<-biril, loiif^ 
Wint<'r's (iunih thrall, from winter's 

wron^' 
IJrcaks into ^Uuiful (loodsof soiif^; 

Till, from coy llirnsli to ^fjiiiiiloiis wren, 
'J'lic lininhlcr luinls of cojisc, and ^Icn 
Outjiour tlicii' vcniiil notes a^ain; 

Willie surli liarnionions r;i|itinc rin'^s, 
With stii- and Hash of I'af^cr wijif^s 
Glimpsed fleetly, when; the jasmin*; 
clin;,'H 

To liosk and hriar, we hlillicly say, 
"Farewt'll! hieak ni^^hts and moiiiiiif^s 

Kartli ojics her festal court to-day!" 

There, first, froiri out sonx; balmy nest, 
I'jy half-f,'rown woodhirn; flowers carcss<;il, 
Steal zcjdiyrsof the mild southwest; 

O'er purpling rows of wild-wood peas,* 
So hlamlly horiu;, the droning h(;(;s 
Still suck their honeyed cores at ease;; 

Or, tremhiint; tlirouj^h yon v(;rdurous 

mass, 
I><;\v-starred, and dimitliiif^ as they pass 
'l"he wavelets of tin; hillowy (,'rass! 



• III tli(! SoiitliiTii \voo(Ih, often among Hlcrile 
trai'twof pine l)!inr'ii, a n|)i;<;i<'H of ;/;(/r/ j/io in 
founil,or :i |il:int wliich In all vxlcrnulH rcHcni- 
blcM tliu |x-a |ilanl. 



IJut, fairest of fair thingH that dwell 

'Mid sylvan niu'slings of the dell, 

Js that clear stream whose nmrnnirs swell 

'i"o imisic's airiest issues wrought, 
As if a Naiad's tongiK; W(;n; fraught 
With seen;ts of its whispered thought. 

V^;s, fairest of fair things, it flows 
'Twixt hanks of violet and of rose, 
'j"(juch(;d always by a quaiiit n;po8e. 

Ilow 'joldi-n hri'.'lit ils currents glide! 
While goldenly fi'Oin side to side 
llird shadows flit athwart tin; tide. 

So Golden D(;ll we name the plaee, 
And aye may Heaven's seren<;st face 
Dnani o'ci- it wjih a smile of grace; 

For next the moss-grown path it lies, 
So |)ure, so fn;sh to genial eyes 
Itglowswilh hints of Paradise! 



ASPECTS OF THE I'lNES. 

Tau,, sombre, grim, against the morn- 
ing sky 
Tli(;y rise, scarc<; toucli<;d by in(;lan- 
choly airs, 
Wliich stir the fadeless foliage dream- 
ft.lly. 
As if from n;alms of mystical despairs. 

Tall, sombre, grim, they stand with 
dusky gleams 
J>iiglit(;ning to golrl within the wooil- 
land's core, 
Beneath tin; gracious noontide's tianijuil 
b(;ams — 
Hut the wr;ird winds of morning sigh 
juj nion;. 

A stillm;ss, strange, divine, ineffable, 
Jiroods round and o'er them in the 
wind's surcease. 
And on each tint<;d copse and shimmer- 
ing d.'II 
Jtcsts the mut(; I'aiituie of dee]) heart- 
ed peace. 



U)-2 



LEGENDS AND LYh'ICS. 



Last, sunset comes — the solemn joy and 
might 
Borne from the West when cloudless 
day declines — 
Low, flutelilve breezes sweep the waves 
of light, 
And lifting dark green tresses of the 
pines. 

Till every lock is luminous — gently float. 
Fraught with hale odors up the heav- 
ens afar 
To faint when twilight on her virginal 
throat 
Wears for a gem the tremulous vesper 
star. 



MIDSUMMER IX THE SOUTH. 

I LOVK Queen August's stately sway, 
And all her fragrant south winds say, 
With vague, mysterious meanings 

fraught. 
Of unimaginable thought; 
Those winds, 'mid change of gloom and 

gleam, 
Seem wandering thro' a golden dream — 
The rare midsunnner dream that lies 
In humid depths of nature's eyes, 
Weighing her languid forehead down 
Beneath a fair but fiery crown: 
Its witchery broods o'er earth and skies, 
Fills with divine amenities 
The bland, blue spaces of the air, 
And smiles with looks of drowsy cheer 
'Mid hollows of the brown-hued hills; 
And oft, in tongues of tinkling rills, 
A softer, homelier utterance finds 
Than that which haunts the lingering 

winds ! 

I love midsunnner s azure deep, 
AVhereon the huge white clouds, asleep. 
Scarce move through lengths of tranced 

hours ; 
Some, raised in forms of giant towers — 
Dumb Babels, with ethereal stairs 
Scaling the vast height — unawares 



What mocking spirit, asther-born, 
Hath built those transient spires in 

scorn , 
And reared towards the topnios= sky 
Their unsubstantial fantasy! 
Some stretched in tenuous arcs ^ light 
Athwart the airy infinite, 
7ar glittering up yon fervid dome. 
And lai)ped by cloudland's misty foam. 
Whose wreaths of fine sun-smitten spray 
Melt in a biu-ning haze away: 
Some throned in heaven's serenest 

smiles, 
Piu'e-hued, and calm as fairy isles. 
Girt by the tides of soundless seas — 
The heavens' benign Hesperides. 

I love midsummer uplands, free 
To the bold raids of breeze and bee, 
Where, nested warm in yellowing 

grass, 
I hear the swift-winged partridge pass, 
With whirr and boom of gusty flight, 
Across the broad heath's treeless height: 
Or, just where, elbow-poised, I lift 
Above the wild flower's careless drift 
My half-closed eyes, I see and hear 
The blithe field-sparrow twittering clear 
Quick ditties to his tiny love; 
While, from afar, the timid dove. 
With faint, voluptuous munnur, wakes 
The silence of the jjastoral brakes. 

I love midsummer sunsets, rolled 
Down the rich west in waves of gold. 
With blazing crests of billowy fire. 
But when those crimson floods retire. 
In noiseless ebb, slow-surging, grand. 
By pensive twilight's flickering strand, 
In gentler mood I love to mark 
The slow gradations of the dark; 
Till, lo! from Orient's mists withdrawn, 
Hail! to the moon's resplendent dawn; 
On dusky vale and haunted plain 
Her effluence falls like balmy rain; 
Gaunt gulfs of shadow own her might; 
She bathes the rescued world in light, 
So that, albeit my sununer's day, 
Erewhile did breathe its life away, 



CLOUD-PICTURES. 



193 



Mothinks, whate'ei-its hours had won 
Of beauty, I)oni from shade and sun, 
Hath not perchance so wholly died. 
But o'er the luoonlight's silvery tide 
Comes back, sublimed and puritiedl 



CL O U I)- PICT URES. 

Hehk in these mellow grasses, the whole 

morn, 
I love to rest; yonder, the ripening corn 
Rustles its greenery; and his blithesome 

horn 

Windeth the frolic breeze o'er field and 

d(>ll. 
Now pealing a bold stave with lusty 

swell. 
Now falling to low breaths ineffable 

Of whispered joyance. At calm length 
I lie. 

Fronting the broad l)lue spaces of the 
sky. 

Covered with ^loud-groups, softly jour- 
neying by: 

An hundred shapes, fantastic, beau- 
teous, strange, 

Are theirs, as o'er yon airy waves they 
range 

At the wind's will, from marvellous 
change to change ; 

Castles, with guarded roof, and turret 

tall. 
Great sloping archway, and majestic 

wall. 
Sapped by the breezes to their noiseless 

fall! 

Pagodas vague! above whose towers 

outstream 
Banners that wave with motions of a 

dream — 
Rising, or drooping in the noontide 

gleam ; 



Gray lines of Orient pilgrims: a gaunt 

band 
On famished camels, o'er the desert 

sand 
Plodding towards their prophet's Holy 

Land ; 

'Mid-ocean. — and a shoal of whales at 

play. 
Lifting their monstrous frontlets to the 

day. 
Thro' rainbow arches of sun-smitten 

spray; 1 

Followed by splintered icebergs, vast 

and lone. 
Set in swift currents of some arctic 

•zone, 
Like fragments of a Titan's world o'er- 

thrown ; 

Next, measureless breadths of barren, 

treeless moor. 
Whose vaporous verge fades down a 

glinnnering shore. 
Round which the foam-capped billows 

toss and roar! 

Calms of bright water — like a fairy's 

wiles. 
Wooing with ripply cadence and soft 

smiles, 
The golden shore-slopes of Hesperian 

Isles; 

Their inland plains rife with a rare in- 
crease 

Of plumed grain ! and many a snowy 
fleece 

Shining athwart the dew-lit hills of 
peace ; 

Wrecks of gigantic cities — to the 

tune 
Of some wise air-God built ! — o'er 

which the noon 
Seems shuddering; caverns, such as the 

wan Moon 



194 



l.i:Hi:\DS AM) I. ) A7(\s\ 



Sliows in hor ilosoluto bosom: thon, a 

I'lOW il 

Oi aw Oil aihl ii-\>'1(MU I'acos. palely 

iH.wr.l 
O'cv a il'Mil muHMi, laid in \wv ashy 

>lirouil — 

A i|iu'<'n o( oKi — htM' palliil luow im- 

IH-arKHJ 
l>y m'ms barbaiiol hor siiaiico l>i\uu\ 

UuKhI 
In nwsiii' i-(Mvn\cnis o\ tlh> auiiiiuo 

world. 

Woird \>i>'iur<'s, tani'y-;;<Miiloivil I — imu- 

by ont\ 
"I'w i\l "oK'mlod bt\nus and shadows, ^(ild 

and dnu. 
'Those lran>ii'ni visions vanish in (ho 

snn. 



Sr N SI r, I ho mnl liko artist. i\iints on air 
riotuios of lovolino.ss and lonor hlont ! 
1,0 1 yondor olomls. liUo uionntains toin- 

l>ost-fotU. 
Throimh whoso abysmal dojMhs tho 

lii;htnins;\s glaiv 
Pails irom wiUl s;ulfs and oa\ornsi>f do- 

spair; 
O'or thoso !i oalni. >najostio linnaniont. 
Flnshod willi rioh hnos. with rainbow 

islos bospronl. 
l.iUo homos of poaoo in oooans hoa\ only 

fail-: 

But stilly boy>>iitl. ono lono mystorioiis 

I'loiui, 
Stoopod in tho soloinn snnsot's tiory 

mist. 
iStranuo somblanoo takos of Him \vlu>so 

\isai;i' bow od. 
Pivinoly swooi. o'or all things, dark i>r 

briiiht. 
Yot draws tho ilarknoss ovor tovvaiii 

His li-ht 
Tho tondor oyos and avvfnl bi\>w of 

rhiist! 



IN rm: rixK harrhns. 

SI NSKr. 

11 \i;i\ ' to I ho mournful w ind : its bnrdon 
droar 
l>i>i'no ox.T loa^iios of dosori wikl and 
dun. 
Sinks to a woaty o.'idonooof ilospair. 
l?oyond tho closing gatoways of tho 
snn. 

^'^>n oloiuis aiv big with tlamo. and not 
with rain. 
Massod on tho niai\olK>us hoavon in 
splondiil i>y ros. 
Whoroon t>lhoroal goiiii. half in pain 
Ami half in triuini>h. light tluirforvid 
tiros: 

Kindlod in fnnoral majosty to rise 
Abovo tho porishod day. \vlu<so latost 
broath 
Exhaled, a n>soato i<tlliuMioo to tho skios. 
Still lingois o'or tho pagoantry of 
iloath. 

Ono stalwart hill his storn dotiani orost 
Uoldly against iho hori.on lino up- 
roars. 
His blasiod pinos. smil by tho tiory Wost. 
I'ptoworing rank <mi rank, liko Titan 
si>oars; 

Fantastio. bovlofnl. o'or ibo iook-stri>\vn 
gnnind 
Casting grim sbados boyond tho hill 
slopo rivon. 
Wbioh niook tlio loftior shafts, koon. 
Instro-i'rovvnod 
.Vnil raisod as if to storm thooomts of 
Hoavon I 

.Vs sinks tho wind. sv> wano tboso won- 
dl^nls lights; 
Slowly thoy wano from hill and sky 
and olond. 
Uhilo roniul tho wtioilland wasto aiul 
glimmoring hoights 
Tho mist of gloaming trails its silvory 
shroud I 



^ONNI'/r. — .\irTl<:n TIIH 'IOUNADO. 



195 



'riiii)ii;;li whicli, mill rluiii, v.i'^iir .IS 
.sliilliiif,' k''"'<'«, 

'I'll'- forms of illl (hillUS lr,||cl|,.(| |,y 

niNslcry scciii, 
I uiilk, iii.'lliiiiks, on |,;i|i. I'liiioiiiaii 
coasts, 
Ami ^M-opc 'mid .spccl.iiil .sIiuiNnvs of ;i 



so.wrrr. 

In tlic .I.T], hollow of II. is slicilriv,! .|,.|i 
I Ik'.u- Ihc nidr winds cli.-ml Ihrir ^ijuil, 

sl;i\('S 
l'';ir, fai- beyond me, where in .hnkenini; 

\\;i\es 
Tlie .-liry sciis of eioiidl.ind sink or swell. 

No f.iini \>\iH-M'. .sllrs Ihe w il(Mlow(!i''s 

soundless bell, 
"'■•■'• i" 'I"' <|iii<'f Viile, whose liviilel, 

hues 

li;inks silenl, iilmosL as Miosc desert 

Slaves, 

Whereof Ihe worn /ah.ir.in w.indeicrs 

lell. 

oii! I has from oiii, si ill depihs of tian- 

• fuil doom, 

•My ^onl he\(Mid hei' views life's turmoil 

v;isl. 
lieiiikenin'^ Ihe uiiidy lo.ir .md v.v^v of 

ni.Mi, 

\ ain lo //(■,• eyes iis shades fi'om cjo.id- 

l;ind e.tsi, 
And to lirr ears like f.irdff winds that 

hoom, 
Heard, hut seaive heard, in liiis Aica- 

• lian njen I 



77//. uooni. i\i, I'll \si>:s. 

Von woodl.uid. like a liuman mind. 

Hath many a phase of daik and 
hri-hi : 
Now <lim Willi shadous. u.iiideiiimhjind. 

Now radian! wilh talc shapes .d' li'^hl. 



'I'lK'y softly comn, tliey .softly {;o, 
< '.iprirMoiis as the va.;;raiit wind, 

N;ilni«;'s va^nie. Ihoiijrhls in kIoomi or 
-low, 
'I'h.-it lea.ve no airiest I race behind. 

No lra.ee, no I rare ! yet wherefore th IIS 
\f(> sh.ade ami bi'ani our spirit's stir'i' 

Ah ! Naliire may be cold to lis, 

l!nl we are slran;;ely moveij by her. 

The wild bird's strain. Ihe breezy spray, 
l'"i''h hour uilb siiiv. eartli-ehanj,'eH 
rile 

llhil m(,re Iban all Ihe Haj,a's say, 
<»r poels sinj; of .lealli and life. 

l''or Irnllis half ilrawn from Nalurf^'s 
brea^l. 
'i'hroii^h subtlest types of form and 
lone, 
'hilwei^rj, what man, at mosi, h.itli 
i^iii'ssed 
While Jieedili'J his OW 11 lle.arl alojie. 

Anil midway, betwi.xt lufaveii and us, 
Slands .Nature in her fadtiless ^raco, 

Still poinliim loom- Father's house, 
liis nlory on her mystii; face. 



M'i'Ei: rill': toux mo. 

L.\s'i' eve the eai'th was calm, Ihe lieav- 

<'ns \\•^'\■^'. f'I((ar; 
A peaceful uJory crowned Ihe waiiiiif^ 

WesI, 

.\iid yonder disl.int nioiinlain's hoary 

cresi 

'I'he semblanc<! of a silvery robe did 

wcai-, 
Shol Ihrou-h wilb moon-wrou'^hl li.s- 

sii ■>; far and iie.ir 
Wood, rivulet, field— all N.il niv's fa(;e 

— expl-essed 
'Ibe liaunlin;^ pre.seiie('of enchanled r<!st. 
One iwili'^hl star shone liki- a blissful 

tear, 
Ciisheil. lint now, what ravage in a 

iiiiiht! 



H'»> 



/.A'(JA\Vi).S^ AMi limes. 



uusts of luv! 



A»\^i now i» iho ji\^\vUnx A\m-U'IuU> 

A u\;vUl »utv»v (air thaw au A\xHl rtvnwr. } 

Wluv^^ Unis ji»\nv wanu in th*> iVnW 
Souih. 

On a «\Mo «|\»^istHl i»\ lun^ ha«d of s^noxw 

What \vo»\U a»v wrU on U»o Unv Sl^^^^U? 
Wha; tUo»»jih<*^ Ho \Uv\> lu U\o maulou's 

Oh. Js ii wiih Wij^^i vxt" hor K>Y<e> isiu^ si^^x^ii? 
Is I ho h^^ht h»« lovo's m ihivso sliy 
Imvwu 0>>\fs? 

{v> (hhxKs iho WHvk4Mr\l iHUui^ hJs l*y 
i^» iho uv«u»K>«s u>\> of vho h\ao s\xray; 
Uo vJow^ iho uxaul, on his \hmyI» ai>»«, 
Anvi his svM^ij is \nt\\nt for hor stvrol 
h«\«rt, 

J^> thinks 0»o h»\v^\ fvxr its frv^Uo fr»v 
With iho «\vs^^\s stojn, an^l tho \vix\jj o' 

I ho Ihv 
U \oa\>\s, to siijh in tho n»i*Jon's «w, 
*' Ho is \\Mni»v*\ s\\>?oi ' ho is jUwvv^i 

hor»^r^ 

i*^> thinks tho sxuK fvxr his arviont hoswns • ' 
i^rv^w nxoiKnv anni s^^^^t ss 9^ Yi»5jin\s 
\h>\*n»s> 



'riu\M»^sjl> tiiovint'^Uwf s)K>vKn\s st»\-»l iv\- 

Iv down. 
At»d sho w«\u's his li^^iht Uko a hruial 

o»\n\ n. 

Lot tixo soivjjstor trilK an*i tho hi\v«»'« 

sijjh. 
Anii tho snn\\»"<>voo»\nvns of his h^ht i' 

tho sky; 
Sho IuhhIs thon» t\ot. tor a stop is ht'^uM. 
And l»or soni Its'xivs np Uko a sta«U\i 

h«»\i - 

Uor svmU K\»ivs uiv hnt it is not foar: 
Uo is »vnn»ViJ, s\\>vt! ho is i»or*"I is hon^! 
And slio rt»«^ to Ixis lH>sv>nu (ah 5 \v»ntit>sr 

dovoK 
vVnd is foUhnl htunom* tho ht'^rt of lovoJ 



Kr«»uy tl»o wind doth hiow 
"rh»\nijjh tho w\XHila<ui hoUow- ; 

t^rily t\M-Kxr\i and iow. 
'IVnnnlous <vV\xh\s follow ! 

Whotuv tho lv>w witnrs ivMUmnl ^xlaint : 

nu«\ion ho)vit\ss. dr^^ry. 
As tho a»vjjtnsln\i ^on^^s that faint 

IVnvn Uio JI»V»viy, 

Whotuv i* Ftvnn far-ot¥ stn«s its nuvan ! 

lV*rksvMno wavos and Kn»oly, 
Wi»orr" tho ^on^^M^st, ovoH>lown. 

l.i\»v<\s a d»\ulw\>»hn only. 

Thoniv it tN*njjht tho awt>»l orv 

t,>f s^\n»o last i>alo swinnnor. 
0\^r whvxst" drv>\\ »n<v»i hr;»in and oyo 

l.ifo jjtvw^si ditn and dinnnor — 

K»v tho hilK>w>* olain* thoir \Mvy. 

S-ttlij^sj stortx aixd lonoly. 
Whorv* tho stvxnnH^KnKls. rvxlK>l away, 

l.o«vo dtvAtib^iloxuv ^mly! 

Sx with \viin tho wind-hoart sijjlxs; 

Thnxx^i* its sad vvinnnxtion 
\V«\*ry s<\midos s\>K and ris*» 

Wailinjj hints of iV>es*nI 



HONNICr. 



107 



Mil! oil III J ! 


;i-i M|iri 


';i(| s llir nil'ir, 


1)1 


W .mmI ;iii.| I 


III '.l.>|M 


' (1 1 1 1 M i 1 1 ". , 


, 


liy no I'llirr ., 


,larli" 


1,1 Kr.'.r,!. 


"'1 1 


''Mi<l II. .• .h. 


iijuwy ; 


loiiliiill^, 





I )|rjirli'r (.'I'liu t llir W'iliij, liinrc <|ii';u' 
I'.rli.H-. lilHlilnili". lolloVV, 

'I ill :i pl.ic.' nl il.iMlii .iinl Ii'.-IT 
,Si'i'iii , lliiil li;iJllil<'i| iiollow ! 



.i,"i3fe^'-v^ 








"rpllll iiimI Im-iii ifM- uImi.- IIii- ui:m II..UI-|n K"'W, 
I!j iiiiuiy :i -1. 1. 1. 11 ,1, II HJilr, nW'-.-l iiimI low." 



F,N<)i'<iir, 111 is '■;! iii'iM' (.1 .|>!i'iii|iir wnl t.o 

MJKinii' : 
Kii«.iil;Ii IliK -il jcj inis.Ty. Mils liii'^lil 

will'. 
rilllHl'. t,'''lli;il Wilnll lll.ll inrli ImTi' iln^l 
l.li.V. 

'I'liy i'Ihm'i I'lil i'l;i lion : ,'ui I I'luin i| ii I 

Jllil llllllic 
Till' IIDlillilil \ jii-sl, III!' Ili 'III rlishldlldi , I 

l.lilllM'. 
I'lllil'l IUkI l>r;||' nil' W llrri' I lie U i|l| lluU 

Jty iiifiiiy ii ^^oiiji'ii ili'll Hiilc swrcl :iii I 
low, 



SliriiM'il in I III- ',vl\^iN Ivli'ii ulii'Mcr I 

r;i nil'. 
() \\iii>i|l;ini| w.'ili'il () r:iir w liis|)i'rin(» 

jlilM'! 

i,(,\ci| .,r llir ili\;iil II. -iM' IhiI I li;iv«! 

\ il'W I'il ' 
( ) lieu lil "Irii. ;i||.| lulir •■hllji'. Iil'i'.'l I ll i njj 

l>;ilin, 
|;i'<'<'i\<' :iiii| l>l<"s . iiH'. I ill I hi I iiniiill, 

I'll. I.' 
.M.T....'i| ill your Vfi'.l.iiil siilil ii.I.'H di- 

\ iiic, 
My soni nn.'f iiiDi'.' Ii;illi loiin.l li.'r' .'iii- 

ci.'iil .';i liii ! 



108 



LEGENDS Ayn /.YIUCS. 



1 1 (U NTS. 

•• KmI'i' \\ ill!- Ol lloWt'lS." V'l I'll 111 li. 

A <,rsr\ wiml o'l-rswccps ihc pardon 

\n<l. wluM'i' llu' jiMiiiuil, willi Ihi- whiii'- 

r.»l ?;l,>\\s. 
Kiots liUo somo nulo houK'u uuv'vmi 

irollo,!. 
Hui ln>r<\ wluTo siinsluuo aiul i'ov 

shadows lui'cl. 
(>iil tiloain llir louiliM- i\\ON o< \iolols 

s\\.><-t. 
'I'lnu'lifil l>\ \\\c \aiHMv i\.HMUiiK>'s 

lloiMinu gold. 

AVh!>l sMbllost piMrmxo lloalssiMVtvolyup! 
KtluM'oal \\ iu<> that hriuis oaoh dolicato i 

Killod 1>\ \ iow loss Ariols ot' (h<> air. i 
And lol luoihinks from o\\\ Ihost> fairy 

(lowors 
Kis,> iho stn>»i:v> sha.los of half for^otlon i 

IhMU'S. 

rail', loarfiil. n\uli\ and vol. O j 
hoa\<M\. how fair I ' 

Voa, fair and marvoilons. gliilinsi' gonlly 

i\i,i;l\. 
Soino with raisod hrows and o\os of oon- 

siano\ . 
Ki\od with fvMul luoaniniis on a goal 

;>l>ovo. 
And si>n»o f.unl shados of woary. drov^p- 

iug iiT;>(V. 
Kaoh wilh a <\innoloss j>aihoson its faoo. 
lUvalhing of hoarl-lnvak and sad 

doa)h of lovo. 

SlowK thoy \anish! whilo tiioso odo>-s 

-sloop 
Soiril !»tul sonso, !\s if in \\a\os of sloo\\ 
Mystodons ;>»\d l.othoan; lauguid 

St roams 
Flowing thn>ugh iv;»hns vM" twilight 

thiMight a^vul. 
\Vh<MVo\i tho h;>lf-oloso«l polals of tho 

hoarl I 

r»\lso tUnvor-liko o"or a whisporing 

tiUo of divan»s: — 



Nor wakos tho soul lo oulward snimd or 

siuhl. 
Till, uooiulax hoanis doi'liuiiiL;. waiui 

and liuhl. 
A wood hroc.o fans iho dioainor's 

foii-hoad i'alin ; 
W'lu) fi'i'ls as ono lonu: wrapped iVom 

pain and ilri>nlh. 
H\ niagio di'oanis droanu'd in iho foi\ id 

sonlh. 
llouoaili iho goldt-n shadows of tho 

\>ahu. 



/;i" Tiir (./Ml a; (>/•■ iitxin riunt^n. 

\\n\\ last wo parlod thy frail hand 
in miuo 
Aho\o us siuilod SoploniluM's passion- 
loss sk\. 
And tvuu'hod l>\ fragrant airs, tho hill- 
sido piuo 
Tliiillod in tho inollow snushino tiMi- 
d.>rl> ; 
Si^ rioh tho rolu* »>n uaiuro's slow do- 
oa\ . 
Wo soaroo oould iloom tho wiutor tido 
was noar. 
Or lurking doath. uiaskod in iniporial 
graoo ; 
Alas I that aunnnu day 
Orow not n>oi"i> v-loso to wintor's onii>iro 
vhvar 
I'han thon. uiy hoarl I to moot griof 
faoo i«> fa»'o! 

I olaspod lh\ trounilous hand, nor 
uiarkod how woak 
Us answoriug grasp; and if thiuo oyos 
ilid swim 
In unshod toai-s, aiul on thy fading ohook 
Kostod a i\an\oloss shadow, gaunt and 
dim. — 
My soul was hliud; foar had not 
touohod hor sight 
To awful vision; so. 1 Uulo thoo gx\ 
(.^\ivloss. .'uid tramiuil as that (ivaoh- 
oivus luoni ; 
^^or divantod how soon tho blight 



//)■ ■riih: iin.wi': of iifsiiy i'imhod. 



190 



of Ion;,' Irniiliinti'd h<t(Is of ciiii' would 

I lll'ou 
Tlicir iiii'lilsliiuli' (lowcTH ;il»ovc llic 

siilillL-'illi; roiii. 

Siiirr ihrii, liill ir yi'ViMr li;illi risen 

;ill<l srI, 
Willi -.|iiin^ tide Hliowcrs, iiiid ;iii 
liiinti pomps iinriii'li'd 
()'<'i'L;oi'|icoiis wood.H, iiml nioiiiihiiii wiills 

Whil.' I(.\f lllld loss, ;illi'||i;ilc, niird 

III!' world; 
'I'ill now oner nioir \\r nucl my 
IfiiMid ;iimI I 
( (iHc inoir, nnic iiioi'i' .iiid llnis, .'iliis! 
«<• nii'il 
Aliovi', ;i r;iyi<'HS lic;iv(;n; lirnciil li, ;i. 
.i,'r;i\ !• ; 
Oh, riiiisi ! and dosi Ihon lie 
Nc^dccli'd lirrc, in lliy worn Itniiii,!- 

shcrl :' 

l''iicnd ! w I'll' I lici'c noiii' lo shirld 
I lii'i', none lo sa\i' '.' 

Ask ol'lhi' uinliT winds — scar('(! colder 

lln-y 
Than Ihal sliaii'^'c land Ihy liirlh 

|ilaec' and I li\ londi: 
Ask (d' I ill' sondn'r clond u larks I roopini^ 

And i;i'iin as hoodid 'jhosls ai stroke 
of doom ; 
Al leasl, the winds, thon'^ii eliill, 
with ^fentler sweep 
.Si'rm eii'eliii^ round and o'er thy plaee 

of I'esI, 
Whiii' Ihr sad I'londs, as elothi'd ill 
li'llderrr unise, 
I )ip low l\ lienil, and weep 
< »'i'l' the dead poet, in whose living' 
hreasi 
!)iinil> iialnre I'oiind a. voice, how 
sweet and wise! 

Once more wi' mei'l. once more — my 
I'riciid and I 
lint ah! his haud is diisl, his eyes 
;ii'e dai'k ; 



Thy inercilcsH wci;^ht, Ihon dread nior 
I a lily, 
I'' roin out, his heart iialli cinsijcd the 
hili'sl. spa,rk 
< »l t hat warm lilc, hcnij^nly liri;^hl, 
and st 1011:4 ; 
\'c\ no; wc hase iml met, — my Iricnd 
anil I 
Asiics lo a-ilics in this earthly prison! 
Are these, O child of solcj;, 
'i'liy glorious sell', heir of the stai's and 

sky:- 
'riinii art not, here, not //c/t, for Ihon 
hast risen ! 

Death ^;a\e || wiii^'S, and Id! Ihon 

hast, soared ahove 
Ail liimian iitlcralice and ail linile 
liioiiLdil ; 
I'ain may nul hound t iiec t iiroiC'h I iia.l, 
reaiiii of iove, 
Nor i^ricf, wherewith tiiy morlai days 
were fraiC'lil , 
I .oad I iiec a"a,iii nor viiil me want,, 
liial, \vA 
Imcii on thy heart's hlood, wound tiie(r; 
idli', liiell, 
<)iir iiillcr sonowiiiL;; whaf thoiii^li 
hieak and wild 
li'esi s I iiini' iiiii'iow iH'd iiea.d '.' 
Known all liion now to a,ii',j;cls and lo 
men 
llea\i'irs saini and earth's l)ra.V(i 
singer niidi'tiicil. 

I'',vcn as I spake in liroi<i'n under hi'i alh 
Tile winds drooped iifeiess; lainlly 
st rn'4'.;lin'i, I iiioii'di 
Tile heaAcn holllid pali, wiiidi Scellied a, 
paii of death. 
( )iie cordiai siiniieam eiefl I iic open i n^ 

l.ille; 
Swiftly it uianceil, and sel I ii nv, sof I ly 
siiolic 
( )'i'r I he L;ra\e's head ; in I lial same in ■ 
slant caiiic 
{•'roin till' near copse a. hinl soiil', iialf 
di\ ine; 
" Heart," said I, '" liiisii I iiy moan, 



200 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



List th(> bird's sinjiinc;, mark tho luwvcu- 


Mil EL. 


hdrii llaiiic. 
(iod-uiveii are these — an omen and a 


" My dainty Aiifl." —Tempest. 


sii;n ! " 


A voK i; like the nuuinnr of doves. 




Soft lightning from eyes of blue; 


In tlie l)ir(rs soni;- an omen lils nuist 


On her cheek a flush like love's 


live! 


First delicate, rosebud hue; 


Inlhewarm i;lillerin!^ of liial iiolden 




lieam. 


lirigbt torrents of hazel hair. 


A sii;n his sonl's majestic hopes snrvive. 


Which, glittering, flow and lloat 


Raised to t'inilion o"er Ut'e's weary 


O'er the swell of her bosom fair, 


theaiii. 


And the snows of her matchless 


So now 1 leave him, h>\v, yet, I'est- 


throat: 


1 Ml liei (' , 
So now i leave him, high-oxalled. far 


Lithe limbs of a life so fine. 


llcyond all memory of earth's guilt 


That their rhythmical motion seems 


or guile: 


But a ])art of the grace divine 


Hark! tis Ids voice of clieer. 


Of the music of haunted dreams; 


Dt'opping. methinks, from some mys- 




terious star: 


Low gurgling laughter, as sweet 


His fai'c 1 see, and on his face — a 


As the swallow's song i' the South, 


smile! 


And a rip]ile of ilimples that, ilaneing, 
meet 




Hy the cnrves of a ])erfect mouth; 


soyxKT. 


creature of light and air! 


As one who strays from out some shad- 


O fairy sylph o' th' sun! 


owy glade. 


Hearts whelmed in the tidal gold of her 


Fronting a lurid noontidt\ stern, yet 


hair 


l)righl. 


i;ejc)ice to be t<o nndone! 


O'er marl and tower, an<l castellated 




height. 




.Shrinks slowly backward, da/.ed ami 
half afraid — 


SOXXKT. 


So 1, whose household gods their stand 


Till', glorious star of morning wonld we 


have made 


blanu' 


Far friim the populous city's life and 


Because it bnrns not on the front 


light. 


of night ? 


Its roar of tratlic and its storn\y might. 


Or the calm evening planet, that her 


Shi-ink as 1 pass beyond my W(H>dland 


light 


shad.-. 


Foretells not snnrisc, with its herald- 


The wordy coulliet, the tempestuous din 


llame ".' 


Of these vast capitals, on ear and brain 


All things that are should subtly own 


Beat with the loiul, reiterated swell 


the same 


Of (uie tierce strain of passion and of sin. 


Eternal law! the stars sliine on aright. 


(Strange as in nightmare dreams the 


Each in his sphere; the souls of Love 


mad refrain 


and .Might 


Of some wild chorus of the vaults of 


Their separate bonnds of grace or grand- 


Hell. 


eur claim; 



:> 



Till-: CLOiD-STAH.^SWKK'l IIKAirr, <i()i)l)-l',YK. 201 



Not on ilir low or lofty, great or siniill, 

Sliould jiislicc li.\ lor jiKli^iiicnl ; llir 
Iriic soul. 

Wliifli s\\;iys its own world in srrcnc 
colli rol, 
llii^lirsl or liiiniiilcsl — .sucli the .Muster's 
cull 

Slijill suiiunoii iii)\var(l, willi lis dcci) 
'■ well done,"" 

And the just Father crown his faith- 
ful sou ! 



THE il.orn-STAI!. 
A I AULK. 

V.wi up within the Iranqnil sky, 

Far up it shouts; 
Floathiii', how gently, sikiiitly. 

Floating alone! 

A suni)eani louchcd i's loftier sidi^ 

With deepening light: 
'J'hen to its inmost soul did glide. 

Divinely bright. 

'I"hc cloud tran^ligured to a star, 

Thro" all its fianie 
Throbbed in the fervent heavc^ns afar, 

One pulse of (lame: 

One pulse of flame, which inward turned, 

And slowly fed 
On its own heart, that burned, and 
buriHMl. 

'Till almost dead, 

'I'lie cloud still imaged as a star, 

Waned up the sky; 
Waneil slowly, i)allid, ghost-like, far, 

Wholly to (he; 

!'>ul die so grandly In the sun — 

Th(! noon(ire".5 breath — 
Methinks the glorious deatli it won, 

Life! life! not death! 

Meanwhile a million insect things 

( 'raw 1 on l)el(n\ . 
.Vnd gaudy worms on fluttering wings 

Flit to and fro; 



Blind to thai- cloud, which grown a star, 

Divimdy bi'ight, 
Waneil in the deepeniii'.; heavens afar, 

Till — lost in li-ht ! 



,s WKETiiiCAiiT, aoon-n vi:: 

A ,S(>N(i. 

SwKKTiiKAUT, good-bye ! Onr varied day 
is closing into twilight gray. 
And up from bare, bleak wastes of sea 
Th(! north-wind lises mournfully; 
A .solemn prescience, strangely drear. 
Doth liaunt the shuddering twilight air; 
It (ills the earth, it chills the sky — 
Sweetheart, good-bye ! 

Sw(M'theart, good-bye! Our joys an; 

passed. 
And night with silence comes at last; 
All things nuist end, yea, — even love — 
>.'or know we, if reborn al)ove. 
The heiirl-blooms of our earthly prime 
Shall (lower beyond tliese bounds of time. 
''Ah! (hiath alone is siu'c! " we cry — 
Sweetheart, good-bye ! 

Sweetheart, good-bye! Through mists 

and leai's 
Pass the pale phantoms of our years. 
Once bright with spiing, or subtly strong 
Wlien summer's noontidi; thrilled with 

song ; 
Now wan, wild-eyinl, foi'lornly bowed, 
Eacli rayless as an autumn cloud 
Fading on dull September's sky — 
Sweetheart, good-bye! 

Sweetlieart, good-bye ! The vapors rolled 
Atliwartyon distant, darkening wold 
Are tyi)es of what our world doth know 
Of tenderest loves of long ago; 
And tluis, w hen all is done and said, 
Onr life liveii out,, our passion dead. 
What can tlieir wavering record be 
But tinted mists of nuiinory ? 
Oh! clas]) and Iciss me ere we die — 
Sweetheart, good-bye! 



202 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



s().\.\/:r. 

(O.MI'OSKI) ON A MAIUll MOKNlXli IX 
lllK WOODS. 

TiiK wiiiils Mil" loud anil tiuniptn-cicar 
to-ilay; 
'riicv sft'iii to soniul an ousel, half in 

ire. 
Half in llu> wililucss of a va.i;ut' ilfsiro 
'To force siniun's fairy vauiiuaril to ilc- 

lay ; 
{'"or hci'c, luclliiuks, wuru winter stands 
at bay. 
Vi't stands how \aiulyl spriuLi-tiiue's 

subtlest lire 
.Melts his eold heart to uothinnness, 
while uigher 
Draw April hosts, and rearward powers 

of May — 
All maiden vi'iilures, eoneords of sweet 
air. 
Stealing as dawn steals gently on the 

world; 
Breezes, halni-ladeu, hK)w n from dis- 
tant seas. 
With armies o( blusli-i'oses, dew-im- 
pearled. 
Till Ivirlh reclaimed from winter's grim 
despaii' 
lllooms as once bloomed the fair Iles- 
{lerides. 



Finn A AM) iii:n roEV. 

\ iii:a\k young i)oet born iii days of Kid, 

Dwelt 'nnd the frozen Northlands; he 
b.du'ld, 

.\ud wondering, sung the niar\elsot' the 
ice, 

'i'he sw irl of suow-llakes, and the iiuaiut 
de\ ice 

Wrought on the tir-trees by the glittering 
sleet; 

And loved on storm\ heights, cloud-girt, 
to greet 

The gray g(>r-faleun towering o"er the 
sea ; 

To watch tlu> waves, auil mark the cloud- 
drifts tloe, 



Big witli tlie wrath of temi)ests; yet liis 

heart. 
Soft as the iiuu'r rose-leaves of the 

spring. 
i;icli with yoiuig life, aiul love's sweet 

l)losst)uuug. 
Too soon, alas! from life and love did 

part : 
Veiled was the fate that smote him; 

unawai'c 
What suilden, iilasting doom hail drawn 

SI) near, 
A strange blight breathed U[)ou him., ami 

hedi,'d! 

On earth to die, in hea\en be gloi'ilied. 
Such wasthe Miusl rel's port iou ; still ho 

went 
Through all the heavenly courts in dis- 

I'OUtl'Ut 

.\n(l sombre grief, the pathos of his 

wi>e 
Kising at tinn>s to such w ild oNcrtlow 
As forced its wailful lUlcrance inti) 

sting. 
That passionati> rush of nuisic, the 

heart's w i-ong 
Set to the swet^ness of harmonious 

ehoRls, 
The AU-Kalher, Odin, o'er the clash of 

sworils. 
And din of heroes feasting at the 

boarvls 
Of loud Valhalla, heard: thereon he 

sought 
This lon.cly sold, in highest lieaNcn o'er- 

fraughf 
AVith mortal iueun>ries. " Wherefoi-e 

lift'st thou here," 
The All-Father asked, ••these measures 

of despair '.' " 
'• Uecause my mortal Lo\e," the I'oet 

said, 
••With lime grows gray and wrinkled; 

on her head. 
So g(dclen bright in youth's benignant 

prime, 
Chill frosts of age have left their luiary 

rime; 



F 11 11) A ANU lIKll I'UET. 



208 



II(>r I'yos arc diiiiinetl, licr sofl cliccks' 

rosy r('(l 
llalli with I lie ll<j\\('i's ol' many a spriiii^- 

lillir lied ; 

And -(I w lii'ii Heaven .shall claiiii lier — 

ah ! the pain I — 
J shall not know mini; earthly love 

aiiain I " 

To whom the (lod, " IhiL doth she, love 

th.'c still :'•■ 
II<'r love, like mine, nor years, nor 
changfi can kill,"' 

'i'he Minstrel answered: " Faith, a cease- 
less shower. 

Keeps fair and hright otn- love's immac- 
ulate flower." 

"I loose thy heavenly honds, — 1 hid 
thee go! " 

The All-Father cried, "and seek thy 
Ijove helow!" 

'I'o earth he came: drear waste and flow- 
ery lea 

IJeheld his search 'mid fettered folk and 
free ; 

Vet all his toils hut hrought th(! dii-efnl 
stress 

Of lone heart-yearnim,^ grief and weari- 
ness, 

Till hope died oiiL and all his soul was 
dark. 

At last, when aimless as an autnmn leaf 
Hornc on November's idle winds afar, 
lie roamed a sea-beach wild, by moon or 

star 
Unlighted in its dreariest hoin- of grief 
And desolate longing, on his eyes a 

spark 
Of tiny radiance through the clouded 

night 
Flashed from a cottage window on a 

height. 
Next the dim billows of the moaning 

main. 

Tliere l)roke a sudden lightning on his 

brain 
Of prescient expectation, — then, before 



Its glow could fade, he trod the cottagt; 

floor, 
AtkI saw in tattci-cjd raiment, wan and 

dead. 
An ancient withei-e(I woman on a 

bed. 
Of whom a ci-one, as shrunk almost as 

she. 
Said with drawn lips and Idinking 

wearily 
"Lo! here thine old Love! Jlastthon 

come so far 
To find how cares may blight ns, death 

may mar';' " 
As ebbs a flood-tide, so his eager l)reath 
.Sank slowly. "Oh, the awful front of 

death!" 
He moaned. " Yet wherefore shudder ? 

Thou, my love, 
Art precious still; nor shalt thou move 

above, 
An alien soul, albeit no longer fleet, 
Nor fair, tliou n^am'st through Heaven 

with tottering feet, 
JJent, aged form, and face Ijcdimined ])y 

tears ; 
T only ask to kuow thee, while the years 
Eternal roll ! " 

lie l)i(|s a last farewell 
To this world's life, again jtrepared to 

dwell 
On heights celestial, in whose golden 

airs 
The heart, at least, shall shed earth's 

wintry cares, 
And blooming, breathe the vernal heats 

of Heaven. 

Twice ransomed soul! thou spirit that 

liast striven 
AVith countless ills, and conquered all 

thy foes, 
Rise with the might of morning, tin; 

repose 
Of moonlit night, and entering Heaven 

once more — 
Behold ! who first doth meet thee by the 

door, 



LEGENDS AND LYlilCS. 



With siniliii'; brow, and i^i'iitly parleil 

lips. 
And eyes « licifiii no vostinc of crlip.si' 
V\o\\\ pain, (ir deal li, ov any evil tiling, 
Lii's daikiy, bill whose passionate 

iriinnphiiii;. 
In poacc attained, and Iriu- \o\v crow ncd 

at last, 
Hath such rare joy and swi'i'tncss roiuul 

her east. 
She seems an angel on Ihe lu-ights of 

bliss. 
And yel a moilat maid 'twere heaven 

to kiss! 

To whom the singer, in a voice that 

seems 
A'agne, and half-nnitUed in the mist of 

dreams: — 
" Art thon the littk^ Frida that 1 knew 
So long — ah! long ago? Thine eyes 

are bine, 
De.'p blue like hers, and brimmed with 

tender dew, 
'i'hrough which love's starlight smiles — 

art thou, in sooth. 
The sweet, true-hearted Frida of my 

youth ■?" 

She drew more closely to the poet's side, 
And nestling her small hand in his, 

replied. 
As half in trenudoiis wonder, half 

delight : — 
" 1 am tliy little Frida, in thy sight 
Fair once, and well beloved — .Vh me! 

ah me! 
Hast thou forgotten'?" "Nay; but 

whose" (quoth he,) 
"Yon withered corse, on which I gazed 

below. 
With pale shrunk limbs, and furrowed 

face of woe ? 
Thy corse, thy face, they told me!" 

"Yea, but know, 
C) Love! that earth, and things of earth, 

are jiast: 
That here, where, soul to soul, wc meet 

at last, 



The mercifid gods have made this wise 

decree: — 
Lort', In heuiHit's tunync, hkidik iimiior- 

tdllty 
0/ youth dial joy ; then, wheresoe'er we 

g"? 
l.oving and loved through these high 

courts divine, 
Mine eyes eternal youth shall drink from 

thine; 
And thou forevermore shall (ind in 

me 
The tender maid wlu) walked the world 

with thee. 
Thy little Frida, loved so long ago!" 



J'i;/:i-:.\isrKXCE. 

AViiiT,!.; sauntering through the crowded 

street. 
Some half-remembered face I meet, 

Albeit upon no mortal shore 

That face, methinks, hath smiled before. 

Lost in a gay and festal throng, 
1 trend)!c at some tender song — 

Set to an air wlu)se goklen bars 
1 must have heanl in other stars. 

In sacred aisles 1 paxise to share 
The blessings of a priestly iirayer — 

When the whole scene which greets mine 

eyes 
In some strange mode I recognize 

As one whose every mystic part 
I feel pretigured in my heart. 

At sunset, as I cahnly stand, 
A stranger on an alien strand — 

Familiar as my childhood's home 
Seems the long stretch o( \\a\e ami 
foam. 

One sails toward me o'er the hay, 
And what he comes to do and say 



HON NET. — A TllUUHANI) YEM!^ I''I!<>M NOW. -jor. 

And ini'^hty voices, ciillin^ on lliy 



I call I'ort'lrll. A jtrcHclcnl Ion- 
.Spriii-^H from homic lilV onl lived of yore. 

() swiff, insfinelive, sfjiiliin^ ^dciinis 
<»f dee|) sold iuioule(fi^e! not lis ilmnux 

l-'or iiyi' ye Viii^iiely diiwn ;ind die, 
Hill, off Willi ii^difiiiiij^ <'erl;iiiily 

I'ierce llironi^di flie dink, olilivioiis liraiii, 
To iii;il<e old liioii.L;lils iiiid iiieinoiieH 
|il;iili 

'I'jioii^lils « hirli |ier(di;iiice iiiiisf friivei 

lilirk 
Acn)MS llie Uild, liewiideiiim I I'.ick 

Of I'oiinfjess ii'ons; nieinories far, 
lli;<ii-reaeliin.;4 ;is yon palliil sfar. 

Unknown, scarce .seen, wliose (lieUeiiiiK 

«race 
Kainls on I he oiilinosf riii^s of s|);i,c("! 



'I'lieii dosi, Iholl rise, exilllalil, llirilied, 

inspired, 
'I'liy soii'^ .-I <darion lay llial, stirs onr 

I inie, 
I lot, from Die son! sonic s(;cr<;L god liafli 

lired! 



SO \ NET. 



A riioiisAM) )/■: ii:s r/;oM ,\()W. 

I sA'i' wiliiin my traiKjiiil room; 

'I'lie t AviliKlif sliiidows Hani( and rose 
VVitli slowly lli(;keriiit;niofions, waved 

(;r()f<!H<|iii'ly fliroiigli flic dusk repoHrt; 

'{'here ejuiieil Sllddi'll tlioil^lll, lO me, 
Wliid] Ihrilled llie spirit. Unshed the 
hrovv — 

A dream of whaf onr world wriidd he 
A thousand yctars from now! 

If science on lier heavenward se;ii(di, 

Itollin;; the slrjhir r'hiirts ;ip;nt. 
Or delving hour l>y lionr fo win 

'I'lie scci'cfH of ('Jirtirs inmost, heart — 
If liiiit her future iipes licr past. 

To uii:it new m.irvels men must, how, 
,M;ir\c-K (d' laml, ;iiid ;iir. ;iiiil sea, 

A 1 hoiisand years from now I 



Faik Muse, heluved of :ill, tiioii alt, no 

hi'iii 
Imperious 'joddess of tiie mount, or If empires hold I heir wonted coiii'se, 

,ii;iiii. And hiind repiihlics will not, sl;iy 

lint K sweet miiideii of the p:istor;il To coiiiiM he cost, of laws wliicji le:id 



piMIII, 



I 'iieiring fo fii(! ISt.iite's dec;i.y 



I'o whom the hum of Ik'cs, tin' we',t \Vli;it cliaiigcH vast, of re;dni and I'lilc, 

'j'he low iipraiscfl, flic proud laid low, 
SliJill greet, the luihom ages Hfill, 
A fliousand ycai's fiom now! 



w mil s sign, 
'J'he hipse (d' waters niiuniuring t,rii,ii- 

< p I i 1 1 y . 
(.'oinc, like soft miisi<- of a May-lidc 

dreiim. 
yet, limes tliere are when some iiiiiierial 

Iheliie, 



Our creeds may <diangc, wit h mellowed 
limes 
Of iiohler liopi!, and love iiK-rcascd. 



Horn of a stormy simsel's marvellous A iid , some new Ailveid, flood llii' world 



.kv. 



ory from fiie haunted Kasf — 



And heralded hy fhimder and (ieree Whiles sciuls on lofti<'r hcighfs r)f failli 



flame. 



May mark flu; mysfic pafiiway grow 



.SwiM-ps o'er Ihy vision with a mien siih- : Clearer IxfLvvt^'ii flKMrsfand and lieuven's, 



liiiii', 



A fhoiisanil years from now! 



206 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



These things /*(((// he! but what, per- 
force, 
Mast with tlie ruthless epochs pass ? 
The millions' breath, the centuries' 
poui}), 
Sure as the wane of flowers or grass ; 
The earth so rich in tombs to-day. 

There scarce seems space for death to 
sow, 
Who, who shall count her churchyard 
wealth 
A thousand years from now ? 

And we — poor waifs! whose life-term 
seems, 

\Ylien matched with after and before, 
Brief as a sunuuer wind's, or wave's. 

Breaking its frail heart on the shore, 
We — human toys — that Fate sets up 

To smite, or — spare 1 marvel how 
These souls siiall fare, in what strange 
sphere, 

A thousand years from now ? 

Too vague, too faint for mortal ken 

That far, phantasmal futui'e lies; 
But sweet! one sacreil truth I read, 

Just kindling in your tear-dinnned 
eyes. 
That states may rise, and states may set. 

With age earth's tottering pillars bow. 
But hearts like ours can ne'er forget. 

And though Ave know not ii'Iiere, nor 

/lOW, 

Our conscious love shall blossom yet, 
A thousand years from now '• 



SOXXET. 

I STOOD in twilight by the winter's sea; 

The spectral tides with hollow, hungry 
roar. 

Broke massed and mighty on the shrink- 
ing shore. 

The sea-birds walled; the foam flew wild 
and free. 

Ruthless as fate, upborne victoriously, 



A fierce wind clove the billows urged 
afar 

With vengeful rhythm toward the west- 
ern star. 

Just risen beyond a gaunt gray cypress 
tree. 

Then twilight waned in cloud-descend- 
ing night. 

The sole star died, as if some phantom 
hand 

Wiped out its radiance; in the void pro- 
found 

The wind and waters (blended in one 
sound. 

Awful, mysterious), with invisilde might 

Thrilled the blank heavens, and smote 
the affrighted strand ! 



THUNDER AT MIDXIGHT. 

At midnight wakening, through my 

startled brain 
The sudd(>n thunder crashed a chord of 

pain ; 

I rose, and, awe-struck, hearkened. 

Overhead 
In one long, loud, reverberant peal of 

dread. 

Ceaseless it rolled, till as a sea of fire. 
The climax gainetl, nuist wave by wave 
retire; 

So, half-reluctant, up the heights of 

space 
The refluent thunder softened into grace, 

Its deep, harsh menace changed to nuir- 

niurs low 
As the lost south wind's, muflled in the 

snow ; 

Waning through whisperous echoes less 

and less 
Till the last echo sleeps in gentleness. 

Thus 'minded am I of that law of old 
Which down the slopes of awful Sinai 
rolled, 



ON THE DEATH OF CANON KINQSLEY. 



'101 



ymote men with jiulgiucnt terrors; yet, 

at last. 
The lightninii tlaiiie and mystic tumult 

passed. 

Lapsed down the ages, echoing less and 
less 

Jehovali's wratli.tili. changed to tender- 
ness. 

The vengeful law. which once man's 

faith sutiiced. 
Melts into niercv on the Jieart of Christ! 



OX THE DEA Til OE CIXOX KIXGSLK Y. 

MoiJTAi.s there are who seem, all over, 

flame. 
Vitalized ratliance, k(!en, intense, and 

high. 
Whose souls, like planets in a ilominant 

sky. 
Burn witli full forces of eternity: 

Such Mas his soul, and such the light 
which came 

From that pure heaven he lived in; ho- 
liest worth 

Of will and work was his, to brigliten 
earth. 

Ileal its foul wounds, and beautify its 
dearth. 

He dwelt in clear white purity apart, 
Yet walked the world; through many a 

sufferer's door 
He shone like morning; comfort 

streamed before 
His footsteps; on the feeble and the poor 

He lavished the rich sjiikenard of his 

heart. 
Christ's soldier! To his tnunpet-call he 

sprung. 
Eager, elate; valiant of jumi and tongu(;. 
Grand were the words he spake, the 

songs he sung. 



Still, hero-priest ! born out of tliy due 

time — 
Thou should'st have lived when on thine 

Jhigland's sod 
Giants of faitli and seers of freedom trod, 
Daring all things to break the oppressor's 

rod. 

Great in thine own age, thou liadst been 
sublime 

In theirs — that age of fervent, fruitful 
breath, 

When, scorning treachery, and defying 
death, 

Her true knights girt their loved Eliza- 
beth, 

Seeing on her the centuries' liopes were 

set; 
Tlien liadst tliou ranged with llaleigh 

land and sea, 
]5ible and sword in hand, gone forth with 

r>eigh. 
The tyrant smote, the heathen folk made 

free ! 

Yea! but to God and grace thon hast 
paid tliy debt, 

In measure scarce less glorious and com- 
plete 

Than theirs who bearded on his chosen 
seat 

The bloody Antichrist ; or, fleet to fleet, 

Thundered thiough storms of battle- 
wrack and tire 
At Uritain's Salamis;* the heroic strain 
Ran purpling all thy nature like a vein 
Oped from (iod's heart to thine; the lof- 
tiest plane 

Of thought and action, i)urpose and desire 

Thou trod'st on triumphing; thy Vi- 
king's face 

Showed granite-willed, yet .softened into 
grace 

By effluence of good deeds, the angelic 
race 

* Alluainu ti> llic (letV;U of the " Invincible 
Arnuiila." 



•20S 



L^GI^XBS AND LYIilCS. 



Of prayers to prompt, and aid them! 

Fare thee well, 
Clear spirit and strong! thy life-work 

nobly done, 
Shines beautiful as some unsetting sun 
O'er arctic summers; chords of victory 

run 
Even through the mournful boom of thy 

deep funeral knell! 



WIIEX ALL HAS UEKX SAID AXl) 
DOXK. 

TO lUCIIAI!!) IIEXUV STODDAltl). 

(Ill reply to his ixieiii called '• Wishing and 
Having.") 

" Perhaiis it will all eonie right at last ; 
It may be, when all is done, 
We shall be together iu some good world, 
Where to irisli and to hace are one." 

— Stoddard. 

O FiiiEXD ! be sure that a spirit came. 

In the gloom of your saddened hour, 
To plant that hojie in your hopeless heart, 

Like the seed of an Eden flower. 
The seed may rest in yoin- brooding 
breast. 

Half stifled in cold and night, 
Or be only felt as a yearning dim 

Toward comforting peace and light; 
But 'twill burst some day into perfect 
bloom. 

And fi-uition be brightly won; 
For the earth-life fades like a dream o' 
the dark 

When all has been said and done! 

The earth-life fades in its sin and pain; 

But whatever of sweet and pure 
Breathed over its pallor and flushed its 
gloom, 

Sm'viveth for evermore. 
O, not as the ghost of a mortal joy, 

But as Joy herself fronx the dead 
Upraised to the clear, calm courts of 
Heaven, 

With a halo around her head; 



'Tis only the vile and the sad shall die 
With the wane of an earthly sun, 

xVnd pass like a vision as man awakes 
When all has been said and done! 

Do you think you have lost your days 
for aye 
In the Iieart of the woods of spring. 
By that seaside town that is glimpsed 
through mist. 
Like the white of a i^etrel's wing ? 
Do you think that the patter of liny feet 

Shall never come back again. 
And that those whom the rage of Death 
had killed 
Are in sooth forever slain ? 
Look up! look up! as the hope com- 
mands. 
From the ruth of the angels won ; 
The earth-woe fades like a dream o" the 
niglit. 
When all has been said and done! 

O God, we wander in devious ways. 

Till the end comes, stern and stark; 
We lift our voices of useless wail 

From the depths of the hollow dark; 
Yet the Christ is there, though we see 
him not. 
But only when sorrow lowers 
Wildest, wi' feel througli the hollow 
tlark 
A strange, warm hand in ours; 
And a voice is heard in the music of 
lieaven. 
Saying: •■Courage and hope, O, 
son! '" 
The earth-woe fades like a dream o" the 
night. 
When all lias been said and done! 



THE VISIOX IX THE ] ALLEY. 

Amid the loveliest of all lonely vales. 
Couched in soft silences of mountain 

calm, 
-Vnd broadly shadowed both by pine 

an 1 palm. 



THE AnCTIC VH^ITATIUN. 



209 



( )"er wliich a tremulous golden vapor sails 
Forever. thoiiLch uiilu'eatlied on l)y a 
hive/.,' 
Or any wind of heaven, serenely sleejis 
A lucid fountain, from whose fatliom- 
less deeps 
('om(! nuu-nuu's stranger than the twi- 
light sea's. 

'J'liat golden vapor, buoyed without a 
i)realli. 
Tints to its own fair lilooui tlu; limpid 
tide. 
Through which ei'cwhile the solemn 
vision rose 
Of a calm face, benignly glorified 
Hy all we dream or yearn for of pure 

rest, 
i'rofound, Jjethean. passionless repose. 
Still through the sili'uce mystic mur- 
murs sighed. 
Fraught with far nu>anings, vague and 
unexpressed. 
Till at the last, upbreathing, weird 

and near, 
Tlic voice of that pale i)hantoni thrilled 
mine ear — 
" Behold the f((cc\ the murrellous f'(ce, 
of Death!'' 



THE AHfT/C VIsrTATTOX. 

SoMK air-born genius, with malignant 

mouth, 
Breathed on the cold clouds of an Arctic 

zone — 
W'liieli ()"er long wastes of shore and 

ocean blown 
Swept threatening, vast, toward the 

amazed South : 

Over the land's fair form at first there 

stole 
A van ward host of vapors, wild and 

white; 
'I'lieii loomed the main cloud cohorts, 

massed in might, 
'i'iil earth lay corpse-like, reft of life and 

soul ; 



Death-wan she lay, 'neath heavens as 

cold and pale: 
Ail nature droofted toward darlcness and 

despair; 
The dreary woodlands, and tlie ominous 

air 
Were strangely haunted by a voice of 

wail. 

The woeful sky slow passionless tears did 

weep. 
Each sh ivering rain-drop frozen ere it fell ; 
The woodman's axe rang like a muffled 

knell ; 
Faintly the echoes answered, fraught 

with sleep. 

The dawn seemed eve; noon, dawn 
eclipsed of grace; 

The evening, night; ami tender night be- 
came 

A formless void, through which no starry 
flame 

Touched the veiled splendor of her sor- 
rowful face ; 

Like mourning nuns, sad-robed, fune- 
real, bowed. 

Day followed day ; the birds their qua- 
vering notes 

Piped here and there from feeble, quer- 
ulous throats. 

Fierce cold beneath — above, one riftless 
cloud 

Wrapped the mute world — for now all 

winds had died — 
And, locked in ice, the fettered forests 

gave 
iN'o sign of life; as silent as the grave 
Gloomed the dim, desolate landscape far 

and wide. 

Gazing on these, from out the mist one 
day 

I saw, a shadow on the shadowy sky. 

What seemed a phantom bird, that fal- 
tering nigh. 

Perched by the roof-tree on a withered 
spray ; 



iilO 



LEGENDS AND LYJUCS. 



"With drooping breast he stood, and 
drooping ht>;ul; 

This fatefnl time had wronght the min- 
strel wrong; 

Even as 1 gazed, our soutldaml lord ot 
si>ng 

Dropped through the blasted branehes, 
bri'atbless, dead! 

Yet ehillier grew ibe gray, world-haunt- 
ing shade. 

Through whii'li, met bought, (iniek. 
trenudous wings were heard; 

"Was it the ghost of that heartbroken bird 

Bound for a laml where sunlight eannot 
fade •;' 



THE )(7.V/> OF OXSKT. 

"With potent north winds rushing 
sw iftly down. 
Blended in glorious chant, on yester- 
night 
Old Winter came with locks and beard 
of while. 
The hoarfrost glittering on his ancient 
crown : 

He sent his icy breathings through the 

pan(>. 
Jle raved and rattled at the close-shut 

doors. 
Then waned w ith hollow nuiriiuu' down 

tht» moors. 
To rise, revive and sweep the world 

again. 

The choi'us of great winds which gird 
him round 
Hold many voices — the deep trumpet's 

swell. 
The air harp's mournful burden of fare- 
well. 
The fife's shrill tones, the clarion's 
silvery sound: 

But o'er the roof-tree, 'round the gable 
rings 
Loudest his wind of onset, hour by liour. 



Till a new sense of almost rapturous 
power 
Comes on the mighty wattage of his 
w ings; 

JSense of fresh hope and faith's re- 
kindled glow. 
The awaktmed aim. the brain drawn 

tense and high. 
To shoot its fiery thouglits against the 
sky. 
Like arr^)ws launched from some deft 
archer's bow! 

All latent forces of our being start 
To marshalled order, ranged in battle 

line. 
While the roused life-blood with a thrill 
divine 
Kuns tingling thro' the chambers of 
the heart. 

Snnnner is rich with dreams of languid 
tone ; 
October sunsets finnl the soul with 

light; 
But give iitc winter's war wind in his 
might. 
O'er the scoin-ged lands and turbulent 
oceans blown. 



TJIi: J7.S77' OF M.tllMOrn HEX su- 

i.Fi.M ro r.in.iDisE. 

Beneath the shadow of a breezeless 

palm 
Mahmoud Ben Suleim. in the evening 

calm. 
Sat, with his gravely meditative eyes 
Turned on the waning wontler of the 

skies; 
What time beside him paused a brother 

sage. 
Whose flowing locks, like bis, were white 

with age: 
His gaze a half-veiled fire, seemed sadly 

cast 
Inward, to scan the records of his past — 



VISIT OF M.\ll\l<>l I) I'.I'.N HJJLKIM 70 I'AHAhlHE. 211 



l'iicli;tlic<' Lli(! piiHl, ol iii;iii — .iiid I lii-iicr; 

lO (llilW 

l"'r()iii liir t'X|)('ri(!ric(!, Maiiclilicil by a\v(; 
(M'Jod'H iiiyHlcrioiis WJiys, hoiik; liiiil, l,o 

(•'II 
Wlio ol llir ili;iil ill inavr-ii ami ulio in 

Ik-II 
Dwell, now in I'lidiirMh MIhs oi' cinlli'-is 

lialc. 

Tliiis, wliiji- lie. iniisod, Mil! old niaii's 

I'aci; l;ii;w |ial<! 
Willi htriiif<<'iil, incniorics; on liis lalior- 

iiiX llioii^dil, 
\'a;<n(! .spffiilatifjiis, diiii and doiilil fill. 

wroii;,dil, 
I'roiii out, tin; Ifaf^nienLs of Uic vanislicd 

yea I'M. 
Al lcn!;lli 111! Hjiid : " IJi-n Siil<ini. lend 

lliiiic, cars 
To llial, I Cain would ask tlici-. 'I'lioii 

arl. wJHi; 
In saonjd lore, in jiuii; pliilosopliifis; 
So Lcll inn now Uiiin; innioML tlioiiglitof 

In-avcii 
And li(;iivc!ii'H fair liahilants." 

" Wlioc'iT liMlii striven," 
i!<ii Siileiin answered, '* to t,ln! cxlreiiiest/ 

virrK<- 
Of spiritual power, aeross deatJi's dri'ary 

siirj,'.; 
lialii passed l.o (iiid the fallioiiilesM pr;af;e, 

of (iod!" 

" Yea," (jiiotli the oilier, siiiiliii;; on the 

sod 
His staff inipalieiilly. "I know! I 

know I 
Ijiit. who of all ire have see.ii oi- loved 

hejow 

Tliiiik'sL liiou ill Aideiin'.'" 

Slowly from his lips, 
Wrapped hy tin; sinoke-wreai ji>, in a 

lialf-eelipse. 
Hen Suleiin's pipe was lowered: "My 

friend," said lie, 
" Hark lo this vision of eternity. 



Whieh in the lon^^-gone tiirir; of youth 

did seem 
To rise, hefore me in a twilight dream. 
.Metlioii;^hl, the lite on I'artli liad passed 

away. 
That near me s|»read the new, immortal 

day 
Ol i'aradise; hut yet mine, ey(;s looked 

Ijaek 
On this our eloiided world, a.nd nijuked 

the traek 
.My waniii'.,' life-eoiirse, still left ;4liiiimer- 

iiig there, 
liehoidl all diie.s of funeral dole and 

prayer 
.Mine, heirs had paid me; Ihrou^^h the 

eyjiress gloom 
I saw the glitter of my new-made 

lomh, 
Wheiiton s(,» many a, blazoned virtue 

shone, 
.\ i»lusli seiiined gat hering o'er the har- 

den(;d stone. 
And i, alhitit a spirit, (lushed with 

shame. 

NatlllOHS, Just, then to Ivleii gates I 
CMllie, 

And, at the outmost wieket tlnindering 

louil, 
.Siimiiioneil lull soon an angel fi-oni the 

eloiid 
Whieh girds those heavenly jiortals, hlent, 

with mist 
Of shifting rainbow ares of amethyst, 
Who, .soiiKiwhat harshly for an angel, 

said 
I knoeki'd as if an hundred thousand 

dead, 

.Not OIK- poor soul, besieged the liea\enly 

door. 
He raised his luminous liamls, whieh 

hovered o'(!r 
For a brief moment, like a flash of stars, 
'J'lie sajiphire, brilliaiUM; of tlie eireling 

bars, 
Then one by one unelosed them. I'ji- 

teied in 
'I'he realm eidestial, .safe from pain and 

sin. 



512 



LEGENDS AND LYRICS. 



1 strott'luHl at caso, with shadows cool 


.Ml erring brethren I" •True." the an- 


ami dim 


gel cried: 


Floating aboiii mo. thus did question 


• Hut Ibn Decar, down to the day he 


him : 


.lied. 


* Fair Soraph. speak. Is i\ot this laud 


K(>pt on his neighbor's ways so keen an 


diviue. 


eye 


Kifi' with pure souls, once faithful 


lie U>st at length his own straight com'se 


friends of nuue ? " 


thereby : 


• Xay! be eonteul if wanderiu^r here and 


.\nd though the purblind world hath 


there. 


guessed it not. 


Tliou mect'st A fen' — none in the loftiest 


//( bides in Kblis" kingdom; tierce and 


s]>here.' 


hot 


' 'Wlieiv, theu." 1 efied, * is holy Ibn 


The waves of Hades roll above him 


r.eear-.' 


now." 


If not the hiiihest he, surely not far 


Amazed. 1 bowed my head, just whisper- 


Heneath the highest that elear spirit 


ing low 


beams ? " 


\n' AUah Kvbur.' Xext : 'How fares 


*Ah! thou art nuitUed still in earthly 


it. then.' 


dreams,' 


1 asked, 'with llatiz. the wise scribe, 


The angel answered. ' If on lilm thou'dst 


whose pen 


^ eall. 


Signed many a deed of gift, and scored 


P(i.s\>) dowmvaviU for he's not in Heaven 


his name 


at all!' 


High on the roll of charilable hearts?' 


* Dread Allah ! ean it bo '? So just a man 


Clear came the answer: '"Mid thy 


Walked not. methought, the streets of 


public marts 


Ispahan. 


Xo soul more sordiil strove with heaven 


Morn after morn, year after vear his 


to drive 


feet. 


Its wicked bargains. Largely would he 


Alike in summer's bloom and winter's 


give 


sleet. 


To general charities: but. sooth to say. 


IJorehim Xo worship in the saered plaee; 


Whene'er he '.scaped the broad, bright 


■\Vhat right tH)us zeal burned hotly in his 


gaze of day. 


faee! 


He stamped with cruel heel the w rithing 


And when insplreil his heavenly vows 


pool'. 


he made. 


AVotdil turn the perishing beggar from 


Or'neath tlie iiniermost mosque devoutly 


his door. 


pray I'd, 


And wring from friiMulless w i.lows the 


\Vhy, even the roaring- Dervish, robed 


last crust 


and cowled. 


Saved for theii' half-starvcil children. 


Shrank fri>m those pious lungs, which 


God is just : 


almost howled 


So llaliz liwells not hen*.' 


Creation deaf. A saint we deemed him — 




one 


In faltering tone. 


Pure as the snow, yet ardent as the 


As dropped from one who deals with 


sun. 


things unknown. 


Who. not content with turning toward 


I questioned next : 'Abdallah, he is 


the light 


saved '} ' 


Ilis own blest feet, must set on paths of 


'X'ay; for. albeit with seeming truth he 


right 


braveil 



I7.S//' ol'' MAIIMOIJI) liKN HULKIM To I'M! A hi SIC. 



•1V.>> 



Temptation, and each wise and sacred 

saw 
\VnniL;lit from the precepts of <nir 

propliet's iiiw, 
Kcll soft iis IIyl)la's honey from Ills 

lIKIIIlll, 

\v\ \\\<. wliiilc iialiire witliered in llie 

ih'oiil li 
Of (Irciir liypoerisy. I]y stcallh lie 

houiiht 
.Strong waters of tJie (Jiaonr, and niyiitly 

soiiKht 
OiiUvion from sweet opiates of tlic 

Sontli. 
Sicl<ness 1h! feifiiied, to i^ain in tliese liis 

cure: 
And oni'e, tliat ln' mii^ht tipple more 

and more. 
^Moved to a province rife witli serpents 

dread, 
Hecanse, hy such as Ivnew Ins wiles, 

'twas said 
lie dranl< tiie i>oison of eaeli treachcr- 

ons tliroal, 
To seek in fiery wine an antidote. 
Nathless, a serpent slew liim, and his 

home 
is far from onrs.' 

My llioni^hts l)egan to roam 
Vaguely, in loose; disorder. Yet again: 
* What of Kalkarri, he whose songs of 

pain 
And joy alike forever struck the key, 
'J'he nnder-note of golden pm-ity, 
V^irtue his theme an<l heaveidy lov(! his 

muse ? ' 
'Thou fool and hlind! Kalkarri could 

not choose 
I'Mit sing mellifluous verses; yet in him 
The light of truth was always i)lurre(l 

and dim. 
A tireless trick of tinkling rhymes he 

had, 
And naught he cared what spirit, good 

or bad, 
O'crruled his lay. The good, perchance, 

paid best; 
Therefore he sang of heavenly joy and 

rest, 



But sang of that whereof he shall not 

taste.' 

' .Just Allah I ' sighed I, ' see what barren 
waste. 

Drinks up my hopes. Since none of all 
I nameil 

lien- for the sacred roll iialh Allah 
claimed, 

I pray thee tell me ir/ioiii his will liatli 
blessed.' 

' Dost tliou i-emend)er Saildi ?' ' What, 
that wretcli 

Who shod the Uactrian camels — who 
would fetch 

Strange oaths from far to sow our whole- 
some air 

With Tuoral poison?' 'True, the man 
did swear,' 

Confessed the Hright Om;, sadly. ' Yet 
so strong 

Ilis penitent sorrow o'er tlm hateful 
wrong 

DoiK! his own soul and Allah, and so 
rife 

With tireless eff(jrt his whole earnest 
life 

To snnte the giant tcmjiters in his soul, 

To kill them outright, or with lirm con- 
trol 

Hold them in native darkness chained 
and cowed — 

At last he con(iuered and our Lord al- 
lowed 

His weary soul to quaff tlie founts of 
l)alm!' 

Amazement held nu; dtunb. ^\'itllin 

the palm 
Waving above, just then a whispering 

breez(! 
Rose, and ])assed up tlu; long-ranked, 

radiant tn^es 
Which lined the hills of heaven. It 

seemed a sigh 
Born of soft Mercy's immortality 
Wafted toward the throne ! The Bright 

One then. 
Lifting his voice harmonious, spake 

again: 



11! 



/./•:(,■ i:.\ ns .i.\/> / )i:i('s. 



I''.'|-.liisi, the sliLill iii-rcli:iiil 1)\ llu' |.\.r \ :'li:i\ lil.xxl ,i rniidiis i ,.ri vnl i;i 



'I'll!) |ni(ir Id i;i\i', lilll Willi :i liciIlM :is 

Im'.ki.I 

As I lir li|i>;iil sU\ , r,'\ cii'lil ol r^lil li :lll<l 

(m>.I: 

l,sl;il i-(l l»iii, w ho. lli.Ml",li he foul. I liol 

IIKI kr 

Till' roiiiinoiirsi |ii':i\cr. Would \i'l i'\ 

rl.illil AllU'ii! 
'I'd lliosc who dill, so w:inid\, lor llir 

Nillvr 
( »l hill h .ilid Irrxrlil w ol'sh i|i, :ill lili;',hl 

Ills !;i'iirroiis Npiiirs laii^i' siiiccrilv 
liolli lln SI ;iii' w illi lis." 

• Ihil \\ :iss:il',' said I, 
'I'hr hlanirlrss (iMrluT. who iiirlllillKs 

raiur iii;;h 
\ iiliir as purr as I rail huuiauil v 
(Ml rarlli iii,i\ roiiipass .' ' " \ ra ; liis 

soul is lii'ir. 
r>ill his soul w.iudris ill Ihr hiuulili'sl 

s|ilu'ir. 
l''or. iiiailv ihrr. lhoii",li no ilauiuiii:; .sill 

did slain 
'I'liis Wassal's i-iTord, slill in Mood and 

hraiii 
No wi'ak w.is 111', his pair lilr run riils 

llowi'd 
So likr dull sliraiiili'ls lliroii;;li a wan 

ahodi' 



Hall hriilal lu'. hall li".i'i and hall' 

Ilia II. 
In hi'allh and powiT, Ihi' hody's liis||'ul 

loivi'. 
Whosi' slri'ii';lli lo li'lliT in its inrhiili'iil 

roinsi' 
Had la\rd an an^ol's will. Ills naliui' 

soil' 
'rorinriilril liiiii; \rl o'rr and o"i'r and 

o'rr 
li'roiii soiur \asl Tail he liHi'd prayi'i'liil 

t'Vt's, 
And liki' a Tilan sIiom' lo slnnn llu' 

skii's, 
W liirli, lhroui;li niiripiallcd sirilr and 

lra\ails passed, 
liis luTo soni halh L^randly won ;il last I 

No iiiori'! no iiiorr! Ilic ;;lorious prcs- 

riirr said. 
'In li:;lil lo roiiii' llu know li'il^i' piT- 

llTll'd 

Shall hlooiii in llowrr and liiiil ; hul, Sn- 

li'iiu. say . 
Ilasi Ihoii hi'hi'ld III!' swill sky roi-krl's 

ia\ 
r.nrii up llir ln'a\ I'lis '.' How hranliriil 

al liisl 
lis splt'iidois ;;li'auiril. loo soon, alas! lo 

huisi 
And llir ill onliT darkiu'ss! Thus ii is 



( M' wiudlrss di'si'ils, thai lir li\rd and Willi uian\ a soul, soariiu;. "k'h dri'ain. 



dii'd 
Ni''i'r by a sharp Iriiiplalion liTillii'd : 
And il his roiiiM' ihi' I'loplu'l's l.iw j'nl 

lilli'd 
\iiil lu'ar his palh all passionate ,l;usIs 

were sidled, 
Wlnvl eiedil lo him ■.' liis lo coldly livt>. 
.\i'(, fade a ere.ilnie l.iiuelv llt>i;al ivt>. 



lo hliss. 

Awhile I hey iiioniil, elear, da//liiiu'. 

ilriiuk Willi li^lil, 
'To sink ill iiiiii and llu- ih-solale iii^lil. 
NNonld'sl know l he Inie l>elie\ er '.' II, 

is one 
\\ hose lailli ill deeds sliiiies perleel as 

I he siiu. 



ISiil lo! in llaniinsi' coiilrasl Hn' ln'l siir llissxiil, li sliui'l /iiitlitrnl hi/ imrk-s of 



(M" .\!ilia"s fall' .Vulm. tlu" Unle player, 
(ilnlloii on e.nlh. w iiie hibher, and llu> 

resi, 
lie si ill is lield in heaven a iiohler i'lU'st. 
'Than all your Wass.-ifs — proper, ciiiiu'- 

less. eool, 
.\iiil soulless, ,ilinosi, as a sla^uaiil pool. 



(/)'(/(•<', 
/)(!(//(. thr iiriiii (urliir, litiiiu-lirs I'ortU 

ill Hfutvv ; 
It (•/<(((•(, s' //((■ cloiiils, o'tmhoots tlic va- 

l>iifi>iis irull 
Tlutt ii'di'fx 'tici.rt tartli ami luanii ila 



^] y DA cdiiTi:!!. — our " ihjmmin(J-biud:' 



215 



'In li'/lil, III liliil, UlUiiilliJ, uliiiliij mill, 

jllll. 



Of just sucli spirits. Leave In-r lien-, 
Kind seraplis! our jioor joys tosliaif, 



/,/ //,< ili'ii, rdhi, ii-lilrh ll'n III Alliili'a \ (Jur griefs l,o ljri','lil(!ii l>y li(;r lovc 



/W/./' •' 



'I'mx liasi, tiiy iiioliier'seyes, my <'liilii — 
Her ileep (jaric <!yes: liie uiiili-liliil 
.''ivve(!l.iiess wliieli bri'.allies around in;r 

nioulii. 
A pcrfi'i'l, rosebud of lie' ^oulii, 
And l,li(! Iiroail Imovv, as snioofli lo-day 
As wIkmi on lif(!'s auspieious .May 
1 elaspfMJ lii'i' to an ard(!nt, breasl 
Willi yeariiinj^'s of ilivine unn-st,. 

'I'iiou iiasi, liiy niollicr's voice, as low 
And soft, as liappy winds dial l)lo\v 



I'ass on lo your ealni homes a])ove, 
And iJiiis in merey sjjare to eailli 
'I'lie ang(;l of my iieart and iiearlii. 

"J"is strange, l)ut yet so fi'esli and whole, 

So liidiant in my brain and soul 

Doth this enehanting image dwell, 

This piu'e, unrivalled miraehi 

Of niai(h!iiliooil and inod(!St graee, 

1 vow that I behold her face, 

Hear her low tones, ami mark In r miiii 

So g(!ntlc, virginal, serene, 

(,'lr'arly, as if her voiee and brow. 
In soft(!st sooth, bcguilcil me now; 
As if, inearnali' and ln'iiiun. 
SJH! plaeed Iht lilllf hand in mine. 
And her long midnight tresses rare 



.\t springtime o'er the wild-bloom heels, I W'ei'c mingling with my snow-touilici 

When Die blue ban-bells lift tluMr iieails hair. 

'I'o bi-arkfu lo those strains of i)eae(!, 

And Ihrougli th(! Iiisti'ous day's deeriase 

l)riid< in lh<! simsct-beams I hat (loat 

Downwai'd from "littcriim airs remote. 



Thou hasi thy mother's heail, no less 
Than all her body's loveliness — 
A hearl as (irmly hra\eaiid Iriie, 
O'er-lirimmiiig now with morning dew 
Of hopeful light as doth a llower; 
^'et strong to meet misfoi-l une's hour, 
And for the sake of loving rulli 
Lie douii and perish in its youth. 

<hildl eliilill so fair, so good 1 liou arl, 
Sometimes an awful pang my heart 
I'ierees as thus I ga7,(! on thee. 
Too rai'e a lldng thou s(!em'st to he 
Long in this barren world to smile; 
.Mi'thinks, with many a heavenly wile, 
Unseen, but fell, the angels stray 
Near thee, to tempt I by soul away. 

Oh! 1 d Ihem not. Why shoidil liiey 

eull 
,My one sueel blossom'.' Ileasen is full | 



And yet slie only lives forme 
In golilen realms of fantasie, 
A erealiu'e born of aii' ami beam, 
The (hdieate darling of a dii;im. 



fti'/: " /// 1/ 1// \ i; /;////>." 

All, well I know the reason why 
'J'liey ealle(| her by thai graceful name: 
She seems a ereatur-e boi'u with wings, 
O'er whi(;h a rainl)ow spirit (lings 
Fair hiuis of softly shifting (lam<;; 
Light is she as the ehangeful air, 
IJoriK! on gay humors evc-rywlieie. 

I5ewitehin'.;ly. 

Her sold bath seldom brealhed a sigii; 
No hint of eari; haiii eviT stirred 
Ilerheing; simsliiiie and tiie l)i'e(;z(! 
Have been the fairy witnesses 
Of all those joys our ha])])y idrd 
llath from I he golden foiinlains drawn 
Of youth unsullied as the dawn. 

So lavishly. 



•JK) 



LI'XIhWDS JA7> /.)/.'/( VS. 



Full iiKiny a (Iowim-, just liovonn!i; iiigli, 
111 lil\'\s broad j;artU'ii. ritr ^\ ith swocis, 
!Slu' tU't'tly drains of lu-ctar dew; 
Tlioii, sylpli-liUc, s\vi'('iis o'er i)alli\\ays 

new 
To laslc some liiiliiiicr liliss she iiu'cls; 
Now llasliiiit:: last lliroiij;!! inyrllc 

bowers, 
Nt)\v fliiigiiii; lo red lips of llowcrs, 
( aiiriciously. 

Forbear, rasli licait ! I'oibcar (o Iry 
Our bird (o (Mpliirc willi your wiles. 
For, lo! slu' i;liiuuii'is lii;i' a bcaiii 



Of fancy, on from dream to droam: 
\'aiii are a lover's (ears t)r smiles 
'To ebeek lier lliniit bewilderinj:;. 
'I'o lame lier soul, or eliaiii lier w iiii^ 
Submissively. 

Nay ! lei llie da/.zliiii;- I'airy tly 
From (lower to flower, so gladly whirled; 
Ciuel it were her matehless liiilit 
I'.y one rude touch lo iliiii or blight, 
'l"o .see her luminous pinions furled 
In grossiM' airs than those which si ray 
Koiind the fresh rosebuds of ibe May, 
Deliciouslv. 



LATER POEMS. 



LATER POEMS 

OF lma(;l\atiox, sentiment, and description. 



UNVEILED. 

I CANNOT tell wlien first I saw her face : 
Was it athwart a sunset on the sea, 
When tlie liuge billows lieaved tuniul- 
tuously. 
Or ill the quiet of some woodland place, 

Wi'apped by the shadowy boon 
Of brcczeless verdures from tlie sunmior 
noon ? 
Or likelier still, in a rock-girdled dell 
Betwei^n vast mountains, while the 

midniglit hour 
Blossomed above me like a shining 
flower, 
Whose star-wrought petals turned the 

fields of space 
To one great garden of mysterious light ? 

Vain ! vain ! I cannot tell 
When first the beauty and majestic 

might 
Of her calm presence, bore my soul apart 
From all low issues of the grovelling 

world; — 
About me their own peace and gran- 
deur furled, — 
Filling the conscious heart 
With vague, sweet wisdom drawn from 
earth or sky, — 
Secrets that glance towards etei-nity, 
Visions divine, and thoughts ineffable! 

But ever since that immemorial day, 
A steadfast fiame hath burned in brain 

and blood. 
Urging me onward in the perilous 

search 



For sacrer. haunts our queenly mother 
loves ; 
By fi> Id and flood, 
Thro' nei ^ iboring realms, and regions 

f.i- away. 
Have 1 not followed, followed where she 
led. 
Tracking wild rivers to their fountain 
head, 
And wilder desert spaces, mournful, 

vast. 
Where Nature, fronting her inscrutable 
past. 
Holds bleak communion only with the 

dead ; 
Yearning meanwhile, for pinions like 
a dove's. 
To waft me further still. 
Beyond the compass of the im winged 

will; 
Yea; waft me northward, southward, 
east, or west. 
By fabled isles, and imdiscovered 

lands, 
To where enthroned upon his moun- 
tain-perch. 
The sovereign eagle stands, 
Guarding the unfledged eaglets in their 
nest. 
Above the thunders of the sea and 
storm ? 

Oh I sometimes by the fire 
Of holy passion, in me, all subdued, 
And melted to a mortal woman's mood, 

Tender and warm, — 
She, from her goddess height, 
In gracious answer to my soul's desire. 



•220 



LATER rOEMS. 



Descending softly, lifts her Isls veil, 
To bend on me the nntranslated liglit 
Of fathomless eyes, and brow divinely 

pale : 
She lays on mine her tirm, innnortal 

hand ; 
And I, encompassed by a magical mist. 
Feel that her lips have kissed 
Mine eyes and forehead; — how the in- 

lluence fine 
Of her deep life runs like Arcadian 

wine 
Through all my being I llow a moment 

pi'essed 
To the large fountains of her opulent 

breast, 
A rapture smites me, half akin to pain: 
A sun-flash (juivering through white 

chords of rain I 

Thenceforth. 1 walked 
The earth all-seeing ; — not her stateliest 

forms 
Alone engrossed me. nor her sounds of 

power ; 
Mountains and oceans, and the rage of 

storms ; 
Fierce cataracts hurleil from awful steep 

to steep. 
Or, the gray water-spouts, that whirling 

tower 
Along the darkened bosom of the deep; 
But all fair, fairy forms; all vital things, 
That breathe or blossom 'midst our 
bounteous springs ; 
In sylvan nooks rejoicingly I met 
The wild rose and the violet; 
On dewy hill-slopes pausing, fondly 
talked 
With the coy wind-flower, and the 

grasses brown. 
That in a subtle language of their own 
(Caught from the spirits of the wan- 
dering breeze). 
Quaintly responded ; while the heavens 
looked down 
As graciously on these 
'i'itai;::i growths, as on sublimer 
:.h.i;»t's 



Of century-moulded continents, that 

bemock 
Alike the earthquake's and llic 

billows" shock 
By Orient inlands and coUl ocn-an 

capes ! 

The giant constellations rose and set: 
I knew them all, and worshipped all I 

knew ; 
Vet. from their empire in tlu^ pregnant 
blue, 
.Sweei)ing from planet-orbits to faint 

bars 
Of nebulous cloud. Iteyond the range 

of stars. 
i turned to worship with a heart as 
true. 
Long mosses ilroo])ing from the cypress- 
tree ; 
The virginal vines that stretched re- 
motely dim. 
From forest limb to lind); 
Network of golden ferns, whose 

tracery weaves 
In lingering twilights of warm August 
eves. 
Ethereal frescoes, pictures fugitive. 
Drawn on the flickering and fair- 

foliaged wall 
Of the dense forest, ere the night 
shades fall : 
Rushes rock-tangled, whose mixed colors 

live 
In the pure moisture by a fomitaiirs 
brim; 
The sylph-like reeds, wave-born, that 

to and fro 
Move ever to the waters* rhythmic 
flow. 
Blent with the humming of the wild- 

wootl bee. 
And the winds' under thrills of mystery ; 
The twinkling *' ground-stars,'' full of 
moilest cheer. 
Each her cerulean cup 
In humble supplication lifting up, 
To catch whate'er the kindly heavens 
may give 



UNVEILED. 



221 



Of flooded sunshine, or celestial dew ; 


Ever I walk the earth, 


And even when, self-poised in aii7 


As one whose spiritual ear 


grace, 


Is strangely purged and purified to 


Their phantom liglitiiess stirs 


hear 


Through glistening shadows of a secret 


Its multitudinous voices; from the 


place 


shore 


The silvery-tinted gossamei-s; 


AVliereon the savage Arctic surges roar, 


For thus hath Nature taught amid her 


And the stupendous hass of choral 


All, — 


waves 


The complex miracles of land and sea. 


Thunders o'er " wandering graves," 


And intinite marvels of the inlinitc air. 


From warrior-winds whose viewless co- 


No life is trivial, no creation small ! 


horts charge 




" Have I not followed, followed where she led, 
Tracking wild rivers to their fountain head." 



The banded mists through Cloudland's 
vaporous dearth. 
Pealing their battle bugles round the 
marge 
Of dreary fen and desolated moor; 
Down to the ripple of shy woodland rills 
Chanting their delicate treble 'mid the 

hills. 
And ancient hollows of the enchanted 

ground, — 
1 pass with reverent thought. 
Attuned to every tiniest trill of sound. 
Whether by brook or bird 
The perfuuKHl air be stirred. 
But most, because the unM'earied strains 
are fraught 



With Nature's freedom in her happiest 

moods, 
I love the mock-bird's, and brown 
thrush's lay, 
The melted soul of May. 
Beneath those matchless notes. 
From jocund hearts upwelled to fervid 
throats. 
In gushes of clear harmony, 
I seem, oft-times I seem 
To find remoter meanings; the far tone 
Of ante-natal music faintly blown 
From out the misted realms of mem- 
ory: 
The pathos and the passion of a dream ; 
Or, broken fugues of a diviner tongue 



LATER POEMS. 



That o'lT hath chanted, sinoo our earth 


To pass and die 


was yimnn. 


Far i>tf. far otf, within the shrouded 


Aim o"or her pcarc-iMiaimnvil soHtudos 


heart 


Tlie stars of moniiun sung! 


Of inunemorial hills. 




Through sliadi" and shine 




i wandereil, as one wanders in a dream, 


.ursc.(/)/.Y /•;>•. 


'['ill, near the borders of a beauteous 
sln'am 


Sor.Ki; Soi^i'inlu'i-, rolnnl in gray aiul 


O'erhuug 1>\ llowcr and vine. 


ihui. 


I pushed the dense, perplexing boughs 


SuuKhI troiii ihc t'oii'sl in half-iuMisivc 


aside. 


w isc; 


To mark the temp(>rai(> tidt^ 


A mistv swcftness shone in her nuKl 


Tinpled by shadows of the Muscadine, 


And on her eheek a shy Ihish weiU anil 


Eeelining there at languid length 1 sank, 


I'anu', 


One idle hand oiUslretcluHl hevoud the 


As tlashing warm hetween 


hank. 


The autunnial lea\es of slowly dying 


With careless grasp 


green. 


The sumptuous globes of these rare 


'i'h(> sovereign sini 


grapes to clasp. 


Tenderly Uisseil her; then (in rutht'ul 


Ahl how the ripened wild fruit of the 


mood 


South 


!\)r the \ ague t'eai's of modest maiden- 


Melted n]ion my moiuh! 


hood) 


Its magic juices through each eaiitnred 


lieludd him g.utly, lovingly retire; 


vein 


Heneaih the foliaged sereon. 


Rose to the yielding brain. 


Veiling his swift desire — 


Till, like the hero of an old romance. 


Kven as a king, wed to some virgin 


Caught by the fays, my spirit lapsed 


(|n«vn. 


away. 


flight doom his sight to hlissful, hrief 

....liiw.> 


Lost to the sights anil sounds of mortal 
day. 


After his tender lii^s 


Had touehed the maiden's tremhling 


Lost to all earthly sights and sounds 


soul to tlame. 


was 1. 




r>ut blithesomely. 


Thronuh shine and sha.do. 


As stirred by some new being's won- 


Thouiihtful 1 trod the tranquil forest 


drous dawn. 


glade. 


1 heard about me, swift though gentiy 


Up-glaneing oft 


drawn. 


To wateh the rainless eloudlets, white 


The footsteps of light creatures on the 


and soft. 


grass. 


Sail o'er the plaeid oeean of the sky. 


:Mine eyelids seeuuHl to open, anil 1 saw. 


The breeze was like a sleeping infant's 


With joyance cheeked by awe. 


sigh. 


A nudtitudinous company 


Measured and low. or, in nuiek, palpi- 


Of such strange forms and faces, quaint. 


tant thrills 


or bright 


An instant swept the sylvan depths 


With true Elysian light. 


apart 


As onee in fairy fantasies of eld 



2 - 




MUH(JA])JNKH. 



223 



lliyli-lii-arlfd i)ocIm tliroii;j;li IIk- wildH 

()!' sliJiilou y (liili'S ;iinl Ioik; Hc;i hfuclich 

]);iss, 
Al M|»riii;;-li<li' iiidiii (i|- holy liimli of 

iii,i;lil. 

'I'Ihmi to .III ;iiry iin'.asuic, 
li(»\V it^s (he sr;i wjihIh wlirii (Ik; ni^ht al, 

noon 
('l!iH|ts llir trail beauty of an April 

liiodli, 

'riiroiij,'li woM'ii paces aL sofl-eireliii^ 

leisure, 

'J'iiey «liiiei| will) elusive f^nice adown 
Tlie forest eoMils — ail live, woodland 
tilings, 
Hlaelc-eyed or Itiuuii, 
I'Mriii fooled or up poisiMl on eliaiij.;f'ful 

U ill^^s, 

< diiil in;.' alionl llieiii 'mid t lie iiidoleiil. 
iiiol ion 
Of hillouy \erdiires lippliii;^ slow 
Ah tJie lonj^, laii;^iiid iiiiderdow 
Of some slar-li'aiieiMl, voliipl nous Soiitli- 
el'll oeeail. 

Tile eirele wideni'd, .llld as llow el- 

w roii'^lil li.inds, 

Slrelelird liy ilie;iUlioUS llMllds, 

lireak ill I he ini'lsi w ii h noiseless wri'lieli 
asiiinler. 

So hijike I lie illllieeis IIOU lo follll ill 

lilM' 
Dow II I he deep ^dade - aho\e Hie sliifl- 

ill'4 IlLjlltS, 

'i'liroiif^h massive tree-holes, on majestic 
liei;,dit,s; 
'The Idossoiniii'j I III r I hereiindei', 
W'heliee, fair ,iiid line, 
T\S inUill'^ !il(e slurs tli.il h;is|eii to lie 
dr.i w n 
(lose lo I he hreasi, of daw n, 
.Shone, with their bhut veins pulsiii;^ 

Heel. 
I unilliH Table fei-l, 
Whili- as till' splendors of the milky 

way. 
Vet, rosy warm as openiir^ tropic day, 



With 111 he, free limbs of curvature di- 

V ill!'. 

And dazzliii'.' bosoms of unveiled ^low, 
.Save where Ihe lout:, ellidval LrcSHCS 

stray 
Across their uniin.i'jinalde snow. 

On<; after one, 
iJy Hiin-niys kissed or fuKifivo shades 

o'ernin, 
All vision-like I hey passerl me. FirsI, 

lliere c;ime 
A l>i'yad r-oy, her sweet head bowed in 

shame, 
And o'er lier neck and lialf-averliMl face 

The ritinicsf d(dical:(! trace 
Of Ihe cliarmeil life-bloorl pulsing softly 
|.nre. 
.N'i'.St, with bold foolsleps, sure. 
And pi'oiidly sef, from hei- iinlrammelled 

hill's, 
I'air hailed, bliie-eyed, ii|ion her lofty 

h.'ad 
A fragrant crown of leaves, piujile ;ind 

red, 
<'liaiitinj;a lay clear as I lie m(;iinl;iin lills, 
A fr.ink-faced Or(!ail fiirned i>\\ me 
Ijei cloudless ;'4lan(;es, lauj^hter-lil, .ind 

frci! 
As the hiri^i! yesLiiri's ami llie lilieral air 
Wil li w hich I viewed her fai'e 
I )ov\ 11 I he lone valley kind, — 
l'ausiii'4 beiinii'S to wa\i' lier hajipy 

ii;iiid 
As in farewell; bill ere her )iresciice died 
Wholly away, 
Ibr voice of -golden swell 
llre:il bed also a farc,W(dl. 
I'^arewi^il, fai'evvell, the sylvan echoes 

^ sif,died, 
l''rom rock-boiind siimmil to rich blos- 
soiniii'4' bay — 
Farewell, birevvell! 

Faiius, safyis Hilled p;isi me — the whole 
race 
Of woodkind births uncouth — 
I'm il 1 scciiieii. in sooth, 
l'"ar from I he ''aiisli I raidc 



224 



LATER POEMS. 



Of tlu'so loiul (lavs to lijivc watuK'n'il, 

joyful, back 
Along tlui paths, houoalli I lie crvsial sky 

Of loiii!;, loiig-|UM'islunl A ready. 
But last of all, lilliiis; tlu- liauntiHl s])a(V 
With odors of tlu" tlowiT-cuaiuort'd tide, 
Wiiosc \\a\flfts lo\c lliroiiuli iikiii\ a 

sccfi'I [ilacf 
Of liic dcfp dell and hrcc/rlcss bosk to 

-lidc. 
Stole by, lightsome and slim 
As Diau's self ill eaeli swifi, sinuous 

limb, 
Ilei- arms oiitstreielied, as if in ael to 

swim 
The air, as erst tlu> waters of her home, 
A naiad, sparklinu: as the tleekless fimui 
C)f the eool fouiitaiii-bead whereby she 

dwells. 

O'er her sloped shoulders and the pure 

pink bud 
Of I'ither viruiual breast is richly rolleil 

(O rare, miraetiloiis lloodi) 
The torrent of her freed loeks' sliim- 

nierinj;- gold. 
Through whieh the gleams of rainbow- 

eolored shells. 
And \>earls of nu)on-like radianee Hash 

and lloal 
Konnd lier iminaeiilale throat. 

Clotlu'd in herbeanly only wandered slu", 
'3lid the moist herbage to the streamlet's 

edge. 
Where, girl by silvery rushes and brown 

sedge. 
She faded slowly, sUtwly, as a star 
Fades in the gioainiug, on the bosom 

bowe.r 
0( some lialf-himinous eloud, 
Abov(> (he wan, waste waters of tlu' sea. 

Then, sense and spirit fading inward too, 
I slept oblivious; through the dim, dutub 

hours, 
Safely eneonehed on autumn leaves and 

llowers, 
I slept as sleep the unpt>rturbed dead. 



At K'ligth the wind of evening, keenly 

chill, 
S\\(-i>t round the darkening bill; 
'I'lieii throbbed llu' rush of hurried wings 

o'erbcad, 
nient with aerial murmiirs of the pine, 
.lust whispering tw iliglil. On my brow 

the dew 
Uropped softly, and 1 woke to all the low, 
Strange sounds of twilight woods that 

come and go 
So lit fully; and o'er the sun's decline. 
Through thegretui foliage tlickering high, 

liebeld, with dreamy eye. 
Sweet N'cnus glittering in the stainless 

blue. ~ 

Thus the da\ closed wluM'con 1 drank the 

w iiie — 
The liiiiiid magic of the Muscadine. 



IX A SmiXG OAHDhy. 

\\'iti';N llea\en was stormy, Karth was 
cold. 
And siinligbt shuuned tin* wold ami 
wa\t', — 
Thought buridwcd in the i-burcbyard 
nu>uld. 
And fi'd on dreams that haunt the 
gra\i': — 

Ibit now that UeaM'u is freed from strife. 
And l\artirs full heart with laptnre 
swells, 

Tbought soars the realms of endless life 
Above the shining asphodi-lsl 

What tlow er that drinks the south w ind's 
breath. 

What sparkling leaf, what Hebe-Morn, 
r.ut tlonts the sullen graylu'ard. Death, 

And laughs our An-tie doubts toseorn? 

Tale scientist I scant of healthful blootl. 
Your ghostly tomes, one moment, 
ek>se; 

riiu'k freshness with a spring-time bud, 
Find wisdom in the opening rose: 



aS TUniM-FUA UMJ'JNTS. 



225 



From toil which, blindly dclviiii?, gropes 
Wiii'ii tinic hill, l)luys a jiif^,i;l(!r's part, 

Ah jio! and ijicallu' the di'W-liL liopcs 
That c'luslfr rDiiiHl a violet's li(!arL: 

.M:iik 111.' while niy wiiDse sweet coi'e 
lialh many a wil<l-hec swarm enticed, 

And draw therefrom a honeyed lore 
rnre as the tender creed of Christ : 

Yea! even the wei'd which upward holds 
Its tiny ear, past bower and lawn, 

A lovi'-lier fiiilh tliaii yours enfolils, 
Canj^hl rniiii I he w hisiieriii;^ lips of 
daw II ! 



/A' lUCdllEK. 

'I'm lite is full of motion, ix'ifume, 

.i^raee; 
Mine, a low blossom in a shaded place, 
Whereto the zephyrs whisper, only they, 
Throu.i^li the long lapses of the loiu;- 

some day. 

'J"hy lordly j^eiiiiis blooms for all to see 
On the clear heij^hts of calm supremacy; 
.My humbler dowi'r they only (ind wlio 

])ass 
With eyes that seek for violets mid th<- 

grass. 



r//A' SKEi.irrox w/txess. 

Rocri'Ki) in soil dull as a dead man's eye, 
Dank with decay, yon ghastly oak as- 
pires. 
As if in mockery, to the alien sky. 
Frowning afar throiinh clouded sunset 
fires. 

No garb of summer greenery gir<ls it now : 

.Stripijcd as some naked soul at 

.Judgment-morn, 

It rears its blasted arms, its sullen brow, 

Defiant still, though wasted, scarred, 

forlorn! 



Not all its ruin came through storm or 
time; 
Ages ago, 'mid vvintei-'s dreariest 
blighl. 
It saw and strove to shroud an awful 
crime, 
JJiit slowly withered from that fateful 
night! 

An e\il charm its many-cent iiried rings 
liolthed of their pith; no more with 
healthful start 
Its lusty lif(vsap, nursed by countless 
siirings. 
Coursed through great veins, and 
warmed its giant heart. 

Now all men shun the gaunt ai-cursed 
thing- 
Only the raven with monolonous 
croak. 
Tortures the silence, staining with black 
wing 
The leprous wljit(!ness of the rotting 
oak! 



,s' rouM ei:a a mentis. 

Tiiio stdiiii had raved its furious soul 

;i\\a , : 
O'er its wild I'liins Twilight, spectral, 

gi'ay. 

Stole like a nun, 'midst \\i)Uiiiled luen 

and slain. 
Walking tin; hounds of some lierce battle- 

jilain. 

The ghost of thunder luullered faintly 

by; 
While down the iit I ermost spaces of the 

^ky, 

.lusi w here I he suiiset's glimmering verge 
grew ]>ale. 

The hadled winds oiitl)i'eathed their dy- 
ing wail ! 



220 



LATER POEMS. 



Tlir stMul>ii' rloiiils ih;il ihron^od a shad- 
owy wcsi 
\Vritlu>ii, as it' loriurcil imkusIims of im- 

ll'Sl, 

W'hosi- (iopllis tlu> kooii shool-lii^lnnin^s 

ri'ui apaii, 
'To sliou \\\u\t tiiMv U>nn<Mil ihrobbi-tl al 

heart I 

WhtMc ram>>l of lato (ho war of olomonts 

.hvad. 
HrvHuli'il a soK'iun silonio o\i>ilu\id, 

riuoU!j;h whivh.boyond thet'KMid-sUi'w n. 

hoiivouly tioUl. 
The moon shone i;vnv as a warrior's 

shield. 

Pipped ill the veins of many a van- 
ijiiished fi>e; 

Ulood red, 1 marked the waiulerinji' va- 
pors ilow 

Vaguely aboiil her. while her lurid 

" lijiiil 
Seared the vamie vanmi.uil of the shades 
of niuhi ; 

Their banded hosts retreating. wiUI and 

dim. 
In shattered cohorts i>"er the hori/on's 

rim: 

Vet. tlie broad i>mpire of those baleful 

boivuis 
Heaved with st range shapes and hues of 

nightmare dreams! 

Here, as fivm elond-born llimalavas 

nWled. 
I saw what seemed a eataraei's rush of 

gv>Ul. 

Hnrled between shores of tlarkness. dense 

and dire, 
lK>x^ n to a seething moinuain-lake of tire; 

There, dismal i-ataeombs, whose nether 

glooins 
Vawneii. to reveal their loathsome plaee 

of tombs: 



CaviMiis of iinstie depth, wlienee bub- 
bling eanu> 
The blne-liiigeil lu>nor o( snlphnreinis 
tlame: 

fragments <>f castles, with fresh blood 
bespitMit. 

(Jannt. ruined tower, and blasted battle- 
ment — 

ihi which, tlame-elad, ami tott<Ming to 

their fall, 
1>, irk eye- of fren/y llashed o'er > ope and 

: wall: 

Wit haw fid i>eean-spaces. limit l<>ss. mand. 
' Whi'ie speetr;il billows lashctl a \iewlt>ss 
laml; 

Their monntainous iUhhIs a frowning 
/enith kissed. 
j Ihit glimpsed, at times, 'twi\t folds of 
phantom-mist, 

I \iewed. as faintly t^niched by mullled 

stars. 
'The semblance of dead forms, on shii>- 

w reeked spars 

Whirled npw aid. and dead faces, a w hite 

spume 
Smote to falsi" life against thai turbulent 

gloom, 

\N'here monrnfnl biivls. on i>inions gn\y 
t>r dun, 
j rireled. metlionght, o'er son\e half-per- 
I islu'd snn. 

Whose feeble lustre, faltering npwai\l. 
. tlings 

.V sail-lmeii radiance ixnind their pallid 
wings; 

Veal all fantastic shapes of tenvr. 

w ivught 
"Twi\t erituu fancy and dream-haunted 

thought, 

I'ntil I seemed with Pante's soul to tly. 
Through new Infernos, shifttnl to — the 
skv! 



U^UKUiJ HOUND — A FANTASY. 



'121 



.i/ioi /■: '/'///■: sroii.w. 

'Vui: wiiidH of llic wiiiti'i' Inivi' hi-catlicd 
(licir (lirj^rs 
l'';ir over t lie wood .umI lln' li':il'-s( lowii 

'I'lii'V liiui' i)UHsc(l, roilorii, by lln' iiioiiii' 

l)(i\\ll In llir sllOI'cs of llir IliniUI i li;^ 

iii;iiji : 
And I lie lirciisl, of llM^siiiiltcii sea divides, 
Till llic voici; of wiiiils and IIk; voice; of 

lilies 
Seem hiciil willi llic roar ol' lin- (■ciitial 

siiri^cs, 
Whose friiill(!SM furrows aro sown willi 

rain. 

TIk' pines lo(d< down, ;(ihI llieii' luanelies 
slii\cr 
On llie iiiisly slopes of tiie nioiintain 
uall, 
And I hear llie slioni, of a nioiuifain river 
Thronnh llu; n'"'"" "' t'"' ^'I'^f^'ly 
<^(>i<SfH call ; 
Wiiile from driffin;^ depths of Ihe Ironl)- 

led sky 
Oiilriii'^eih Mic cable's wiiil rei)ly, 
So siirill that, lii(! slarfled echoes cpiiver; 
And the veil of tin; tenipesl is over all. 

<) ^roaiiin;; loresl I () wind lliaf lushes 

rnfelieriMl and (icr'ceasadooni niali;^n I 
Ilow Ihe pulses lea]), liow Ihe lieait-lid(! 

lill^hes 

'i'iie teifiples and hrow liki- Ihe Hush 

of wine. 
As I pause, as I hearken IIk; vast coni- 

niol ion 
Of llie air. of llie e.irlii, of llie wakened 

oi'can ; 
Ami my soul j;oi'S foiih wilh Iheslorin 

Ihal crushes, 
Willi Ihe halllin'4 foam and Ihe hlind- 

in'4 hrine. 

Yea, my soul isrenl iiy a lempcst stronger 
Tiian evci- was Nature's, with ruiii 
rife. 



And llie flame of its lif^litiiiiiKs can liide 

no longer, 
JMislieallied at the core of a clouded 

life; 
Anil ils peiil-iip thunders, unloosed at 

last, 
Kee|)lime lo the rhythmic rage of Ihe 

hlasl, 
{•'or my si)ir'it, half-maddened hy Kates 

that wrong hei', 
"i; shaken hy jtassion, and liol wilh 

strife! 

Ah, (;o.l! foi- the wings of the eagle 
above me. 
With their steadfast vigoi' and royal 
might; 
Ah. (;i)dl for an impulse like Iheirs to 
move me 
In endless courses of upward llight; 
The clouds may billow, Ihe vajiors 

heave, 
I'lUt still his iiinions the darkness cleave; 
And proudly serene, in those realms 
above me 
He is soaring fi'om ci)iii(iiercd height to 
lieight: 

Till at length, his greal, iiroad vans at 
even 
And stiitcly i)oise on the airy sti'cani, 
1 niai'k, through tin; rifts of the turbid 
heaven 
His form oulllashed like a wingi-d 
lieam : 
And I ask. '" Shall //(// spiril soar like his? 
Shall it ev(!i' soar in the p(!aci; and Idiss 
Of tlie shining heights and the glory 
gi\ en 
'J'o the will unvani|uishiil, the lailli 
supi'cmc'.' " 



UNl>t:i!fll:0 I'M) — . I FA XTAS Y. 

Ma.IKs'ih dreams of heavenly calms, 
IJright visions of unlading palms, 

Whcrewilh Ihe brows of sainls ai-c 
crowned, — 



2-28 



LATER POEMS. 



Awhile luy soul ivsiuns tlicm all, 
i'ontcnt lo rcsl death's (li-caiiilcss thrall. 
Saic mulcrnTouiul I 

Kcst! fcst I oblivious rest 1 craxc. 
'I'liough nai'i'owcd to a iiiut'-claii i:ra\<'. 

\Vith sylvan shadows shiinincfiuu' 
roinul; 
'I'lu' i>t'ao(M)t' Iloavon. it' fail' and (loop, 
Soairo wooos nio liko Ka fill's obon sloop. 

Far uiid('ri;rouiid. 

By intiuilo woarinoss opprossod 

Of soul and sonsos, hlood and broast, 

^^'ho^o can such (iiload halm bo 
found 
As that which hroalhos from out the sod 
liaptizod by rain and dows of (>od. 

Deep uiideri;rouiur.' 

A oontury's space 1 yearn to ho 
ITntronhled. shunborinsi' Irampiilly, 

'riiere, by the liauntod woodlands 
bound; 
"What suns shall sot, what planets riso 
O'or pnlsoU^ss brain and I'lirtainoil oyos. 

Dark undori^round ! 

A oontury's sloop might bring redress 
To these dull wounds of woarinoss, 

Till the soothed spirit, halo and 
sound. 
Grow oonsoious of the sacred trust 
Whioli holds immortal bloom in dust, 

Saf(> underground. 

\'oa I conscious grow of rustling x\ings. 
And koon, mysterious whisperings, 

IJlowu tlamo-liko o'er the burial- 
nioimd : 
My soul would feel thy (hieut kiss. 
Angel of I'alingonosis. 

Thrilled underground ! 



TIIK Din-.l/) or THE riXE. 

Ah, forest sweetheart I over laud ami 

sea 
I como onoo more, once more to stand 

by thoo; 



3Iy sylvan darlingi sot 'twixt shade and 

slu'cn. 
Soft as a maid, yet stately as a (pieon! 

Thy loyal head, crowned by one lonely 

star. 
Flii'kors thro' twilight, coldly tine, and 

far; 
l>ut tliN eai'lh-ycarniug branches bend 

to greet 
The lowliest wood-grass tangled round 

my foot. 

Loaning on thoo, I fool tho subtlest thrill 
8tir thy dusk limbs, tho" all tho hoavons 

ar." still: 
And 'neath thy rings ()f rugged fi'ciwork. 

mark 
What seems a heart-throb mulllod in the 

dark! 

TTore lingering long, amid the shadowy 

gleams. 
Faintly I oatch (yet scarce as one that 

dreams) 
Low words of alien mnslo, softly sung. 
And rhythmio sighs in some sweet un- 

known tongue. 

And something rare, I cannot clasp or 

see. 
Flits vaguely out from this mysterious 

tree — 
A viewless glory, an ethereal graeo. 
Whieh make Elysian all the haunted 

plaoe ! 

Ethereal! viewless! yet divinely dear! 

Ah mo! what .strange enehantmont hov- 
ers near. 

What breaths of love the old. old dreams 
renew I 

What kisses fall, like charmed Thessa- 
liau dew ! 

Ml/ Dr>/(t<J-Lori' liath .•^lipped tfic impris- 

ouinii hark, 
llcr iutoi on iiunc. itnixiifflcd hi/ the 

dark. 



TO A BEE. 



229 



WELCO.Mi: TO ritOST. 


Lord of fair realms and watery worlds 




grot(;sque ! 


O Sim kit! at wlujsc^ wafts of chilling 


Majestic; afreet of weird Arabesque ! 


hrcatii 


We hail thee sovereign in these fevered 


Autuinii uiibiiiils her zone, to rest in 


lands. 


(Icatli; 


No more with alien hearts and folded 


Toiiehed l)y wlioso blight the liglit of 


hands, 


cordial days 


But as an angel from the fadeless 


Is lost in sonibn; browns and sullen 


palms. 


grays ; 


And the great River of God's <-entral 


Thoii seeniest of all sad things a mourn- 


calms, 


ful part : 


W^hose silent charm must work benign 


Yet now we greet thee with exultant 


release. 


heart. 


Whose touch is healing, and whose breath 


Not as a thief, at niglit-tiine Ijcaring 


is — peace ! 


doom, 




But a brave messenger of grace and 




bloom ; 


THE 1- INK'S MYSTERY. 


Thy flickering robe and footsteps soft we 




mark 


I. 


Down tlie dim borders of the tremulous 


Listen! the sombre foliage of the 


Dark; 


Pine, 


And though befori; thee flowers and fo- 


A swart (iitana of the woodland 


liage wan(% 


trees. 


Thou layest a magic hand on hiunan 


Is answering what we may but half di- 


pain. 


vine. 




To those; soft wliispei's of the twilight 


Red Fever, sootheil ])y thy cool finger-tips, 


breeze ! 


Ebbs from hot cluick and wildly-nuitter- 




ing lips; 


II. 


Delirious dreams and frenzied fancies 


Passion and mystery murmur through 


fade 


the leaves, 


Into fine landscapes of enchanted shade. 


Passion and mystery, touched Ijy death- 


With low of kine and lapse of lyric 


less pain. 


rills 


Whose monotone of long, low anguish 


Through the cleft channel of Arcadian 


grieves 


bills; 


For something lost that shall not live 


Till tlu! worn patient feels his languid 


again ! 


eyes 
Flushed with what seems an earthly 






Paradise, 




And life's old blissful tide, with lustier 


TO A liEE. 


strain, 


Smai-i> epicurean, would to heaven that I 


Revels in music through each ransomed 


Could borrow your lithe body and 


vein. 


swift wing 




To speed, a lightning atom through the 


Therefore, O monarch of all cold device. 


sky. 


Wrought in strange temples of Siberian 


The l)lithest courier on the winds of 


ice! 


spring! 



•J.SO 



LATEli rOKMS. 



O Missful initol nativo of light and air! 

In oauvr /oal you hasto your j^poils to 

win; 
FixMU hall-blown bud to tlowor all nia- 

tivn-tair. 
^uoking tho nootarod swootuoss 

sliriTUHi within! 

Tho jonquil wooos you w ith hor goldoii 
blush. 
And Ulossou\in>i- quiuoo (oai-h tlowor a 
fairy Mai's, 
That tints its hoavon of irivon with oriiu- 
soiuhI tlusliK 
While tho puiv " whitiMvd'" blooms 
in silvery stars, 

<.>l>on to yield their delieate riehness up. 
Ihit nu^t you love on vernal iioous. to 
dart 
'Mid jasmine bowers, and drain eaeh 
Retailed eup 
\\'ith fervid lip and warm voluptuous 
heart. 

Theiv. safely eouehed. you hum a low 
ivfiain. 
Of sueh supivme and rare eontentment 
born. 
Its happy monotone moeks our human 
pain. 
And subtly ^tings us with luieonseious 
seorn. 

Themv. honey-f iviirlitotl, you steal lazily 
out, 
l^iusiiisra moment on some leafy brink. 
As if onmeshod by viewless welv? of 
doubt 
t>vMu what next fount of luseious life 
to drink — 

.V moment only. Svvu your matehles* 
tli-ht 
«."K>aves tho far blue: your eltin thun- 
ilor h^HMUs 
In eltin eeluvs fivm you gUnimeriiig 
height, * 

To fall and die sunid tliese nivislitnl 
blooms. 



Gone, like a vision! Yot, be smv that Iw 

Hath only tlown thivugh lovelier 

tlowers to stray. 

Anaeivon's soul, thus prisoned in a bee. 

Still sips and sings the springtide 

houi-s aw av ! 



77/ A" FiK^r mockim: - fiii:p ix 
^V'/.•^V(.. 

AViNtiKO pivt of vernal ethers! 

Ah! wheiv hast thou lingeixnl long? 
I have missed thy ^mssionate. skvward 

flights 
And the trills of thy ehangeful song. 
llast thou been in the hearts of wood- 
lauds old. 
Half divaming. and, drowsed by the 

winter's eold. 
Just oiwning the ghost of thv sprinmiile 

lay ^ ^ 
To the listless shadows. Ivnumbed and 

gray ? 
«.h- hast thou strayeil by a tivpie shoiv. 
Aiul lavisluH.1. O sylvan tivubadour! 
The boundless wealth of thy niusie five 
l>u the dimpling waves of the Southland 

sea '.' 
What matter ? Thou eomest w ith magic 

strain. 
To the morning haunts of thy life ag-ain. 
And thv meliKUes fall in a rhvthmie rain. 



The vvivt\ and the tield-lark listen 
To the gush fivm their lauivate's 

thi\>at: 
And the bhu^binl stofvs on the oak to 

eat eh 
Eaeh unuuhHl and porftvt note. 
The siH»rrvnv. his ^vrt head roannl aloft. 
Has kvased to ehirp in the gr;\s#y eroft. 
And is iHMuling the eurves of his tiny ear 
In the /Hi.ff of a eritie wise, to hear. 
A blaekbirvl. pereheil on a glistening 

gum, 
StHMns lost in a rapturt\ deep and dumb: 
And as eas:^>rlv still in his trane^l hush. 



THE RKD AND THE WHITE UOHE. 



231 



Mid till- vo\m'. boiK'iltli, is a dear-eyed 

llinisli. 
No l<»ii;;iT I lie dove by tlie tliorii-trec 

root. 
Moans sad and soft as a lar-oif (lute. 
All Naliin- is lieark(!nin<,', eliaiined and 

iniilr'. 



Whose ealin, eold lieart beiK^alli all lights 

that heani, 
Seems centred always hi an Aniie 

dream; 

Prim, puritanic, passionless, austere. 
What would'st thou give my opident 
life to si 1 are ? 

To every hrec^ze — tin- daintiest breeze 

that blows, 
Eaeh petalltul eurve of mine more lichly 

^dows; — 

And all the countless tints of heaven- 
born grace 
From that mellow throat. When thi- i ihit touch to make more bright my Ilelx- 



\W- scarce ciin deem it a marvel, 
h'or the songs oar nightingah! sings 

'lliiDb warm and sweet with the 
rhythmic i)eat 
( )l t be fervors of countless springs. 

All beautiful measun^s of sky and earth 

Outpoiu' in a second and rarer l)irth 



winds are whist, 

And lie follows his mate to their simset 
tryst, 

Wliere liie weijded Miyrllesaiid jasmine 
twine. 

Obi the swell of his music is half di- 
\ ine I 

And I \aguely wonder, O l)ird! can it be 

'j'lial a luunan spii'it hath ]>;irt in thee? 

Some Lesbian singer's, who diitd per- 
chance 

'I'oo soon in the sinnmer of (ireek I'o- 
mancc', 

r.ut the i-ich resinwes of vvhost; broken 

in some mysticnl, wild, undreanied-of 
way, 

I''ind \oice in thy bountiful strains to- 
day ! 



'/'///•; i!i:i> AM) rill-: uiiirr: hosk. 

'Vwi: lied [Jose liowcd one golden siun- 
mei''s iiiniil, 

'The I.'imI liosc l)rlll, low wllis|iering 1<) 
the Wilite, 



face!" 

'■Ah! well, fidlil thy faU;!" the White 

liose said ; 
'•List to the wooing winds! uplift thy 

head 

In sovereign i)ride througli every radiant 

idiase 
Of star-illununed nights and cloudlcsss 

days; 

Let wingi'd lovers thy warm l(;aves dis- 
part. 

To find voluptuous shelter next tliy 
lieart. 

Fulfil tliy fate, O Queen! Imt leave to me 
My stainless calm and cloistral sanctity; 

Those jiassionatc airs that trembling 

iiiund thee met^t, 
Sink ill soil wor'ship at my veiled fe(!t; 

Tile reverent: sim-rays shimmering gently 

dow n. 
Weave o'er my brows a halo for ;i crown : 



''Thou jiallid sha<low of a beuuleons | And while 1 muse in star, or moonsliine 



(lower, 



faint, 



Unchanged fi-oiii ])ur|tling dawn to sun- i 'i"he llowers seem miuiiiiuing, 'Lo! our 



set hour; 



garden saint ! ' " 



2y'2 



I'll.- lu'd l;.>s.- llCMlll. but <M-.' slu- spoUo, 
IllT lIlOlll ll 

'rimillcd li> Ilu- lii;lit. (iiiick kissi-s of Iho 
Soiitli, 

I'lissod from ju'cli \voii(l(>r, bliMil wilhyay 

(lisihun. 
l!;n'k to its tliinplt-d inirllifulucss ;(i;;iiii ; 

And sht>, — llu» Jiat'dtMrs ciniM'css — proud 

vt'f fond. — 
Of suniuKM' llowors, llu> nialchloss Kiisa- 

niond, — 

Looked al ln>r iialo-luiod sist(M-. dow- 

iniiu'aii(Hl, 
As lliat fairniarvol i>f lln> island world. 

Miglil. ill her nuldiiM' nalun''s Tiopii" 

-low. 
Ha\o vimM'd a calm Si. Ai;nos' brow o( 

snow, 

^\'i(ll some iliin sense of myslie spaee 

belwcen 
The lieavendioimd votaress and the 

oai'thly quoou ! 



nrrour iiif miukoi:. 

WiiKiJK in her ehainher hv tlu> Sonlliern 

sea. 
Her lapor's lijihl shone soft and silvery. 
Fair as a ]>lanel mirrored in the main. 
Kresh as a blossom bathed by April 

rain. 
.\ maiden robed for restful sleep ariijht. 
Stood in her nuisinji sweet nt>ss, pure ai\d 

Avhite 
.\s some .shy sj>irit in a haunted plaee: 
llor ilow-brisjht eyes and faintly tlnshinjr 

faeo 
Viewed in the glass their delii-ale bi>aulv 

beam, 
!Slrangi> us a .shadowy "dream within a 

droam " 
With lingers hovering like a white di>ve's 

wings. 



I. AT/:/,' /■(>/•; .1/N. 

.Mid lillie. lender si,i;lis and iiiurmur- 



(.loy's searee arlienlale spei-eh). her 

eager hands 
Loosed the light eolf, th(> ringlet's golden 

b.iii.ls, 
'Pill, by ilK'ir luminous loveliness eui- 

bia.vd. 
From lily-head lo lithe and lissome w.iisl. 
roured Ilu- free tresses like a cascade's 

fail. 
ller image answered from the sliiniincr- 

ing wall. 
Auswen-d and diH'pcin-d. while the 

gracious charms 
Of brow and cheek, bared breast and 

ilimpliug arms. 
To iuuoctMil worship slirred her happy 

ht>art : 
ller lips - twin rosi>bud petals blown 

apart — 
(.(|uivi-red. half brcallilcss; then, subdued 

but warm. 
Around her perfect face, her pliant 

form 
A subtler air seemed gathering, touched 

with lire 
U\ many a liM\id tlmught and swift de- 
sire, 
AVith dreams of love, that, bee-like, came 

and W(>ut. 
To feed llu> honeyed core of life's con- 

lenl : 
Closer toward her mirrored self she 

pressed. 
Willi large child-eyes, and gently pant- 
ing breast. 
Bowed as a llower when May-time 

breezes pas-*. 
And kissed her own dear Image in the 

glass ! 



T}vo rrociis. 

LovEKS by a dim sea strand 
Looking wave-ward, liand in hand; 
Silent, tremlding with the bliss 
0( thiMrtirst betrothal kiss: 



wiaJj from the kast. 



Zoo 



Lovers Hi ill, tlio' wedded lonj;! 
(Time true love ejiii never wroiif^I 
('••A/A\v^ — faillifiil li.'iiid in lianil, 
(J'er a darki^r .s(;a and strand: 



All! one lover's faee, is wan 
As a wave the moon shines on; 
J Jut those strange tides stretelied afar 
Know not sun, nor moon, nor star I 




'() \ui\nU-Tt\i\ wiiiil and cru*;! ! at tliy swf.ep, 
From t.lu! tniUl liill-top to tin; vallfiy <l<!<ii, 
Siir|iriH<; and iV;ar tlirou<;li all the woodlands run." 



ivisi) /•A'o.u rill': east." 



Tmk Sprin";, so fair in her youni; ineoni- 
pUdcness, 

Of late till! very tvfie of tender sweet- 
ness; 

Now, througli frail ]eav(!S and misty 
branches hiown, 

liOoks forili, the ih'cary shadow of a 
frown 

Ciiasinj; the frank smile from lier inno- 
cent face; 

Wiiat marvel this'.' for the Kast Wiini's 
ilisf,'rae(! 

Smites, like a hnffd, April's tinj,dini; 
cheek. 

Whence tin; Hwift. outraged hloorl ilodi 
(•ill) to si'ck 

The affrighterl heart ! 

The Karlh, herself so gay, 

liuoyant, and happy, at the dawn of day, 

• 'ITiiH pii-c(! JH (for llie inoHt pail) a 
rliymed v(!iMl(in r)f an exccM-dinKly \ir;\\>\\\c lU-- 
HcrlpMon of tlic Kast wind, wliicli occiiih in 
Mr. lUacknioroV adniiralde novel, "Cripps, tlie 
(/'iirrler." Mr. ISIacl<nior(! \n a \><ti:i, altlioii^di 
he writeH In prone. 



Thrills, shiveriug low with every flaw 

incn-ased. 
And fraught with salt-sea coldness from 

the East! 

O mast<"rful wind and ciiiell at thy 
sweep. 

From IIk' hold liill-to). to the valley- 
• le.-p, 

Surprisf' and fear thiouLjh all the wood- 
lands I'un, 

Till the coy nestling-places of the sun 

,\ ie rullleij lip, from shim; to shade, as 

W lien 

At the (ii-.t ii<»te of storm the moorland 

hell 

Ituflles lii'i' wings en- yet their warmth 

he sj)r-eil(i 
Ahout <'aeli tiemiiloiis nestling's dusky 

head. 

On the tall trees the foremost huds, half 

hare. 
Stared, as wild-eyed, on the keen, rasj)- 

ing air; 



234 



LA TEE POEMS. 



Then shook — hut not with softly-palpi- 
tant thrills. 
As when, o'orlooking the freed nioun- 

lain-rills. 

They felt their life by loving arms ca- 
ressed — 

AVann, vieMless arms of zephyrs of the 
West — 

But with tlie sense, the eold and shivery 
stress 

Of utter aud foi-lornesi nakedness. 

The twigs that bore them tlatteued up- 
ward. li>st 

To all but rigid conseiousuess of frost; 

And their fnll-foliaged branches which 
so blindly 

Bowed in meek homage when the winds 
were kindly 

Strained upward, too. in stiff, relndlious 
fashion. 

"With throes of anguish aud deep moans 
of jia^sion. 

"Wrung from them by wild beatings of 
the gale! 

Then many a tiny leaf, though waxing 

pale. 
Cloud-shadowed; all unf rayed, yet ([uiv- 

ering. .shrunk 
Behind tlie mosses of some giant 

trunk. 
To wait till the shrewd tempest hurtling 

by 
Left Spring once more empress of earth 

and sky — 
While many a large leaf, almost riven 

apart. 
Piped a sail dirge from out its tinted 

heart. 
And knowing what sombre selvage must 

be seen — 
Alas, too soon I — to film its glow of 

green. 
Bewailed the hoin- whose treacherous 

hrightness came 
To warm its life-blood into genial flame 
Only to send the blissful-llowing tide 
Back tlu'o null the hallled xeins misatis- 

fied, 



Its nascent joy nipped by the arctic 

breath 
And merciless wattage of this Wind of 

Death! 



I' i: AC 11 Ji LOOMS. 

O! tenderly beautiful, beyitnd compare. 
Flushed from pale pink to deepest 
rosebud hue — 

Nurslings of tranqinl sunshine and mild 
air. 
Of shadowless dawn, and sihcry twi- 
light dew — 

Ye blush and burn, as if your flickering 
grace 

Were love's own tint on Sjiriug's en- 
amored face! 

And day by (la\ — yea. golden liour by 
liour 
Your subtle fiagrance aud ricli beauty 
tell 

(Each fair> blossom rounded into llower), 
How matchless once that lost Arcadian 
spell. 

Which dwelt in leafy bowers aud vernal 
.lyes 

Whence coyly peeped the Dryad's fawn- 
like eyes! 

And yet. wliile all so fair and l>onnlet)us 
seems. 
Wliile the birds carol — each his dain- 
tiest part. 

Yeiled in .soft brightness, and like nm- 
sical dreams 
In some blithe sold — the bee-swarms 
haunt your heart. 

Lo! severed slowly from you roseate 
crown. 

A scarlet snowdrift, silent, falters di>wn. 

The reign of these rich l)looms is almost 

done : 
Soon to the languid Zephyr's feeblest 

breath. 
Their loosened petals, yielding one by 

one. 



LOVE'S AUTUMN. 



235 



Must find the Lethe of uiiMakening 

death. 
Ah me! of all the bourgeoned buds that 

shoot 
Even (o full flower, how few shall bear 

us fruit! 

Their little day is closing fast in gloom; 
\or will they reck — poor wiltetl waifs, 
and blind! 

^Viiat germs of richness wax from faded 
bloom, 
To charm I lie pampered taste of hu- 
man iviud; 

Forever dropped from off tlieii' parent 
stem, 

Whnt have man's thoughts or tastes to 
do with them ? 

So let them rest, I i)ray you, let them rest, 
Small, perishing sweethearts of the 

sun and rain : 
O' mother-earth, thou hast a rulhful 

breast, 
Which yearns to fold thy humblest 

child from pain. 
Men fall like flowers; both claim the 

self-same balm, 
The equal peace of thy majestic calm! 



THE A WAKENING. 

Fi;i>M day today the dreary heaven 
Outpoured its hopeless heart in rain; 

The conscious pines, half sluuldering, 
heard 
The secret of the East wind's pain. 

Mist veiled the sun — the somljre land. 
In floating cloud-wracks densely furled, 

Seemed shut forever from the bloom 
And gladness of the living world. 

From week to week the changeless 
heaven 

Wept on — and still its secret pain 
To the l)("nt i)ine-trecs sol)bed the wind. 

In hoilnw truces of the rain. 



Till in a sunset hour, whose light 
Pale hints of radiance pulsed o'erhead, 

Afar the moaning East wind died. 
And the mild \Vest wind breathed in- 
stead. 

Then the clouds broke, and ceased the 
rain ; 
The sunset many a kindling shaft 
Shot to the wood's heart; nature rose, 
And througii her soft-lipped verdures 
laughed. 

Low to th(> breeze; as some fair maid. 
Love wakes from troublous dreams, 
might rise. 

Half dazed, yet happy — mists of sleep 
Still hovering in her haunted eyes. 



LOVE'S AUTUMN. 
[To My Wife.] 

I WOULD not lose a single silvery ray 
Of those white locks which like a milky 

way 
Streak the dusk midnight of thy raven 

hair; 

I would not lose, O sweet! the misty 

shine 
Of those half-saddened, thoughtful eyes 

of thine. 
Whence Love looks forth, touched by 

the shadow of care ; 

I would not miss the droop of thy dear 

mouth, 
The lips less dewy-i-ed than when the 

South. — 
The young South wind of passion sighed 

o'er them; 

I would not miss each delicate flower that 

blows 
On thy wan cheeks, soft as September's 

rose 
Blushing but faintly on its faltering 

stem; 



230 



LATEn rOKMS. 



I woulil not miss the air of ohastonod 

gnioe 
Which luvathoiUlix iiioly from thy p;uiom 

faoo. 
Tolls of love's watohful anguish, nieiged 

in ivst ; 

Naught woulil I miss of all thou hast, or 

art. 
01 friend supivme. whose constant. 

stainless heart. 
Doth house unknowing, many an angol 

guest ; 

Their presence keeps thy spiritual 

ohambei-s puiv: 
While the tlesh fails, sti-ong love givws 

moiv and more 
Divinely beautiful with perisheil yeai-s: 

Thus, at each slow, but surely deepening 
sign 

Of litVs decay, we will not. Sweet I r^^ 
pine, 

Nor greet its mellowing close with thank- 
less teal's; 

Love's sprii\g was fair, love's summer 

brave and bland. 
Bnt thivngh love's autumn mist I view 

the land. 
The la nil of deathless smumers yet to be; 

riieiv. I Ivhold thee, young again and 

bright. 
In a great tlood of ir.iv transtiguring 

light. 
Bnt theiv as heiv, thou smilest. Love I on 

me! 



THE SPrHEA. 

[This oxquisito pl:ml bliXMus in the Southern 
States as early as the muKile of February.) ' 

Of all the subtle lires of earth 
\\1uch rise in form of spriug-tinie 
tlowers. 
Oh, say if aught of purer birth 
Is luirsed bv suns and showers 



Than this fair plant, whose stems are 
bowcil 
In such lithe cmvcs of maiden grace, 
Veiled in white blossoms like a cloud 
Of daintiest bridal lace? 

So raiv. so soft, its blossoms seem 

Half woven of moonshine's misty bars. 
And tremulous as the tender gleam 
Of the far Southland stai-s. 

Peixiiance — who knows ".^ — some vii-gin 
bright. 
Some loveliest of the Dryad nice. 
Poui-s thnnigh these tlowers the kindling 
light 
Of her Aiwulian face. 

Nor would I marvel overmuch 
If from yon pines a wood-gixl came, 
' And with a bridegivom's lips should 
touch 
Ilcr conscious heart to llame; 

I While she, ivvealiHl at that strange tryst. 

In all her mystic beauty glows, 
' Lifting the cheek her Love had kissed, 
Pakxl like a bridivl iv>se. 



COQCEI'TE. 

[Auioiig the family portraits.] 
I. 
Yes ! there from out the g;\llery gloom, 
Retaining still a llush of bloom. 
I mark our bright ancestivss glow — 
The maiden l\ose of long ago. 
She liviHl in times of sumptnous dress. 
And rich ivlonial stateliness; 
But thixnigh the strong restniints of art 
I seem to view her heaving b.eart. 
As if a pivtest warm it made 
'Gamst that stiff KxUee of biv»cade. 
While in her fair ehtvks' dtvi>ening dyes. 
Her lifteil bivws and rvignish eyes. 
Her swan-like nei*k and dimple^l elun — 
Cleft for small Loves to ambush in — 




' All ! iii;iiiy a i:;i i:;i 
III th.'sc ul,l (laN>." 



vv/A' WOULD wi'i'iiis us. 



237 



I can iiol fail (wlio could ?) lo sec 

All |ii):i'iil cliarms of cixiudry — 

'I'lic wiles \\lios(! i^lamoiif, swil'L and 

slll-c, 

Siiioic liiiplrss \iciiiiis by till' score; 
And cvi'ii niiw (;illliiiiii;li llicy ho 
Disccrnrij in pirl inr,| piiantu.sy) 
N'ol ;ill iiiiMiciiniis, liul possessed 
orpowei- III pieiee I lie manly l)r('asl, 
If frosted lo ils slii\ criiiL;' core 
Mv forlv aiclie vcars oi- inoi'c. 



All I many a uallani lov ei| her well 
In those old days! Mer lealrnvs tell 
The world-wide^ sloiy o'er a^ain, 
Of ollicvN passion. In r disdain ; 
Of hearts that si)enl llieir Lest lo mak<' 
Her own more lemler for love's sake, 
< )idy in I ime lo lind. p<'reliaiie(\ 
Dull ending lo a life's romance. 
Since trivial natures are not stirred 
Sa\<' liy the liu,lilly trivial word; 
And nnieli 1 feai'. despite I lie Hue 
Rare heaiil y of each fault less linti — 
lier fa(■(^ of i^ay hi^<ini-iinii'i\ shows 
No "golden i;nlfs of pni'e repose 
Deep ill her inmost heiiijj; shrined — 
Hut shallow thoutjhts and i)iiri)ose hliiid. 
And yet who knows ? My «'rrinji sinht 
May not have read its nieanini^s rii^lit, 
And something of e.then^al sraee 
.M;;y lurk heneath that eandess face, 
W'liieli masks with ineonsideratc mirth 
A soul not wholly wed to earth! 



'I'lieivfore, sweet llesli and lilood, I trust 
'I'lial, ere y(^ passed to senseless dust, 
\oiii- lieaiity i)layed a worthier part — 
The love-co/c of the loyal Ireart. 



No answer comes: for lime doth mar 
Our records. Only, like a star 
JSearee touched by vapors vague and chill, 
Vour gracious image hainits us still. 
Hut none, alas! may truly guess 
What fate befell vour loveliness. 



I ( II ASKi) the maid with rapid feet, 
\\ liei-e iec' and sunbeam (juiver; 

llul si ill beyond me, shyly (leet, 
She Hashed far down the river. 

Soinelinies. blown backward in tluMdiase, 

With balmy, s(.)ft caresses, 
I felt across my glowing face 

The waft of perfumed tressps. 

SometJmes a glance, she slioi iieiiind, 
O'er graceful shoulders turning 

A cheek whose lints the eager wind 
llail set like sunrise burning. 

Then, in a sudden onv> ard glide, 
.She rushed with even motion, 

As a long wave the restless tide 
Drives shoreward fast from ocean; 

And swift as some winged creature sped 

Far down tin; crystal river. 
Until the shining form that fled 

I di'camed iniLiht, lly i'(»revei'. 



77//. u< )/:/./> inrif/y us. 

A I ANTASV. 

PioKciiANf'K our iincard world may 

partly hc^ 
l]ut niilii'dril Nature's line ei)itome; 

Now, o'er it lloats some eloiid of tender 

]iain 
Too frail to Ixild the sad reserves of rain; 

And now behold some breezy im])ulse 

run 
O'er Thought's bright surface, glittering 

in the sun: 

Whereon, like birds, the (locks of fancy 

Ihrong. 
And all is peace and sweetness, light and 

song: 



:iJjv*< 



LATKIi POKMS. 



AtUMi. .lii\i moods liUo sl)i>«K>\\\ woovl P.orn of (ho bnUn. ;u\.l ■s;;iinsi sonio 



l;u><ls riso 



ll\orns »»f \\>Av 



As "twoiv Ihmwoou iho s|>irii's o;nih ;iu>l -SoKing ihoir bivusls — Iml siui; 



sUios: 



swoollv si>: 



All fair siu>i>vstions. Itiiiis of iwilijihl 

li-rooo. 
S!>fo lnu'b«>n>i>x^ sook within iho spoll- 

homul spaoo; 

Musio is thoiv. low lavi^ihtor. jvnd iho 

soumi 
vM' f;ur\ \oioos. oohoiuji\siXM\lly uuu\il 

Tho oovO ivivssos of tho voiK\l uiiud; 
Whilo on ilio sut-siv of momoi'y's phun- 
(o»u wiuvl. 



FoiM\l;u\\s it owns of shyosi f;iiU;vsio; 
(Uiul suv.nns of inspinuion, swifi .viui 

fl\>0. 

l\ollin>i' low;»nl Thoiv^iht's ooi\ir;(l oooaii 

vast 
Whoivin !>n lossor forms of thou-^ht. jU 

bst 

Sink, «s tl»o nvniols iHM'ish in u sort ; — 
Thns, nMnuloil. wholo. onr spirit -l.-viul- 
so«iH>s ho. 



tUtvvsts »>f Uoihl Knos. sw;uhiHi in ;v : (^nr spirJUworW fhns jvrfoot; ovor rtU, 

sihory \u»st 
r.'vss by ns; !U\(l tho lips v>in" lips hixl 

kissovl. 

hiyvMilh'sjjhul pritno. tnuvilorahlo Ihuv^J^ 
WhisjHMv ihwutiih WivftvS of vvs^ionary 

Ah. yivs! our inwtu^ti woiKl hnt tniitvi's 

(ru<\ 
ThJs ouhfiti^l worKl of sonso: — it h;uh ' 

Us vlow . 



No olonds of (lonV>t hrttisr, stitUnii as ;v 
ivill; 

Unt if Iho sonl ho hoallhfnl, nohlo, 

hi>;h. 
(tixl's pi\>tniso Ujihts it, liko ;> slooploss 

oyo! 



Its sunshino. «n»l fivsU tvsos. whito juul 

U \>oKis a touvlor miH^uU^jiht v>vor lu\'ul: 

Tho tlow-s of y«\vnvuvu\ miUU or tJory- 
hrisjht. 



\l\\ IhoSoxUh.) 

So »loo\> tlxis sylvrtu silontv. stnuisiv ;u\d 
s\v»vt . 
I Us vlry!ul-4inrt»\Hrtt\. Y\r>iit\rtl Toaiv. oan 
j h»\>u' 

: Tho \Milsos of hor ow n i>n>v Kvsv>n\ Ivat : 

And hor low voi»v ivIuhhI hv olth» rills. 



Tho tKnvo«>s of \hsuv, or ivvssiou; Iho Vtul fjuv^lY fotvst fouutahis, sivvrklinsi 



i\Un\ Usil»t 



olo.-u" 
'Mul h;u»nti>l hollows of tho h^vuy 
hills; 



i'^f twHsvMxi^ijj tho»ight> ami »vn\vs^xvtion 

lino. 

All «uo»>jxhI it\ suhtlost Ih\uuy — half No Im\v«o. nor wraith of any luwro th;U 

»Uvi»\o! l^lows. 

; Stirs tho ohann«Hl oahn; not ovon yot\ 

It \mth Its numuts of visloiu atvJ Its y»)o» f j>\vss;vt\>oi^>hrtin. 

Of <vntou\plation. whoiv loml ni^tfhtin- IVw-lxMnu an<l swunji *twixt violot ;uul 



sjaUvs. 



wiUl twso. 



A s'louM IS I'lii': nisr.wci':. 



-I'.W) 



'rillills lo the ;iilV "'Ic'llirlil /*' Mlhllc-sl. 

liK'iilli; 
Slli'li lii:il\rll(iiii si illness Jilliiii'.l liioods 

lIKi' |j:iiii 
O'i'i' Ihi' liii .linl si'iiMc, ii(;l(iiii;;iliiii liiiils 

(.1 •l<';illi! 

Wllill HllllllfUVM (»!' snlllid slirvivr, I lie 

wiui'h' I'iii- si"li, 



DcoWMcil ci'lrkcl-'s rliil|., or inork liiril':; , '|'|| , , ,||,, j, i,,. 



I Inllow.-il lollou.'.l IIh- l.n-lil sliJipc 

llllll lieu. 
Si ill cirrllli- l||, I he Mile, 

Till ;i : :i. roiiiiliiin lliiil li;i . i<';ie|ie<l lis 
liei;;|il,, 

l'"iillH hack ill MprjiyH ol li^lil 
Slowly (li.ssolvcd, mo IIi;iI eiir;i|il iiiiii;; 
l;,,V, 

I )i \ iliely liiell s il U.'iy 



croon ill slee|), 

{'•III liiiicli Mils Mici'cil, soil I i';iiii|iiillily 

'I'o yd. liivillcr >|iiiel : I In- iiiir ImihI 
lir<-:ilhcH like ;iii iiir.in! Iiille<| liom ili'i'ii 

lo (|ee|i 

<)!' (IrciiiiilcsH I'csl, on s(»iiic \\;i,vc wliis- 
pcriii;; hIi'iuhI ! 



|AI ninlii.l 
A (loi.iii \ |i;illor of \ oliijil iiniis li'^hl 

!''il|ei| I he W lU'lll soul lieni lii"hl : 

'I'lic moon, clciir oihed, :ilio\e Ihc, Hylvaii 

scene 
Moved like ;i shilely (|lleeii. 
So rile willi conscious hcmily nil llie 

U llilc, 
W hill e,,l||d she do hill smile 
Al lielOWII lielleel lo\ el i liess helow, 
4 ilnHHCll ill I he I I'.'i liijllil llow 

< ir crysl:il toiiiil:iiiis ;ind iiniiillled 

si re:ims '.' 

I lull losi In w ;iki ws, liiciiins. 

As down llie lomliesl I'orcsl, licll I 

sir.'iycd, 

l.o! Ir .1 neij^horiiij^ ^d.idc, 

i''l;islied lhroii;;li (lie drjl'ls <d' inooiisliinc, 

Hwiriiy cniiie 
A hiiiy siiiipc of (liiine. 

II rose ill dii/./.liiiL; s]iir!ils overhead, 

\\ hence lo wild sweelness Wed, 

ruiiii'd ni;ii\e||ons melodies, siUcry JriH 

on hill; 
The M'l-y IcMVcs ;,'icw si ill 

< In Ihc c|i:irined I rees lo lie;irkeii; while 

lor me, 

lle:irl Irilled lo ecslusy, 



miiloiis H|i;i.ces lo ;i, iiiiisic- 



mi I , 
Soon li\ Ihc jilj'lll hive/e 

flow ■■eiilly kissed 
liilo reiiiole :uid lender silences. 



A STOH.M IS Till-, hixr \N<'E. 

I AiiM.ni. llie (;e,,r,"i.ni lllll!.| 

I SI'.l': I he eloiid hoili i|il,idlon . ol I lie 
^mIc, 

Their lines of r.iin like jdillerinj^ 
s|)e;ir . de|,re ,1, 
( While .-ill I he ;ijfii;.|||ed land ^^roWH 

darldy pale), 
In lla.liin^' charge on eaillTs lialf- 
shieldcd hreasi ; 

Sounds like Ihe rush of Irainpliiie; 

columns lloal, 
l''rom Ihal, lieree eonllicl ; volleyed 

I hiindeis peal, 
lileiil, wilh Ihe maddened wind's wild 

hii'de Hole; 

Till' li-hlnin-s Hash, flic solid w<iod 
lands reel ! 

Ila! many a foliated 'guardian of Ihe 

liei-hl, 

Majcslie pine or cheslniil, riven ami 

ha IV, 
I'alls in Ihc rai^c of Ihal aerial li'^dil, 

l,cd hy Ihe rrinec of all Ihe powers of 

air! 

VasI, hoiiiihs, like shallcred hannerH 
hurl li II',' My 
Down Ihe lliiek liimiill : while, like 
eiiieiald snow, 



l>40 



/..l77-,7.' /'(>/;.l/N. 



Millions ot' orphiiiii'i! Irjwcs m;ikc wild 

111.' sk\. 

Or drill ill sliuiMoriiii; hclplrssuoss 
lu-low. 

iSlill. still. Ilu> lovt>lK<«l lan.'os of tlu< vain 
At oarlh's iKill'-shii-UUnl breast tako 
li'lilliM'int;' aim : 
All space is ril'o with l'ur\, racked with 
pain. 
Ivirtli lialhed in vapor, and heaven 
rem li\ llamel 

At last Iheelond-ballalions ihrough Ions;- 
rills 
Of Inmiiunis mists retiie; . . . the 
strife is tlone; 
And (\irth onee mor(> her womuK-d 
heanly lifts. 
Vo \\\vc\ the healinu kisses of the sun. 



Tur )7.s/().v /;) Tin: sr.t. 

" A (liinji of l>o;»uty is ;» jey forever. "' 



As iremulons wuvo on wave, with 

freight aji'e s\V(>et 
Of nnirniured musie. fawned ahoui her 

feel. 
Then died in one divine, harmonious 

sigh ; 
The hree/.e l>ewilehed. eould only falu-r 
niuh. 
' And in sh\ delicate wafts of homage 
( play 

1 With her lare tresses; like iucaiiiale 

May. 
I She seeun<d tln> earth, the tides, the 

heaven, to bless: 
; For once I gazed on IJeauty's perfect nesvs. 

i m. 

I 1 ga/ed for s(«me rapt moments. I>ul no 
more; 
Then loweied nunc evt-s and slowly left 
I he shore 
I 3l;vde marvellous bv that vision of de- 
! light ; 

Yef evermore its beauty, day ai»d night, 
Standiuii' between the blue skv and the 



A It vt NtiNti facel with strange. <Mhereal 

( yes. 
l>i>ep as nnt'atliomed units of lr.in«iuil 

skies 
When o'er their brighiness a vague mist 

is draw w. 
Iheathed from the half-veiteil lips oi 

n\elting dawn; 
A mouth whose \^\ssionate love and 

sweetness seem 
lUil just released from kisses in a dream; 
A brow like Tsyelie's. pensive, broad. 

and low 
And white as winter's whitest wreath of 

snow ; 
While round that gracious forehmid. 

calmly fair. 
Kipi<les an April rain of golden hair. 



For son>t> rapt moments, on the oi'can 

strand. 
Fneonseious. beautiful. 1 saw her stand. 



Shines like a star of immortality 
Through all my being: it becomes a part 
Of the dee\> life that tiniekens soul and 

heart 
To sense of things ideal and supreme — 
A palpabli> l>liss.yei wedded to a tlream. 



7///" 1 7>/('.Y «/,•>■ r.tCK. 

\ AVI happy with her I Kne. 

In a circle of charmed re\H>se; 
My soul leaps up to follow her feet 

Wheivver my darling gws; 
Whether to roau\ through the gai\len 
walks. 

Or pace the sands by the sea: — 
There's never a shadow of dmibt or fear 

brooding "twixt her and me: — 
Unt through nten\ory's twilight mists. 

Sometimes, I own. in sooth. 
Faltei-s the face of one I loved 

In the fervent voai"s of vonth; — 



'lUK 11 K I) IJLY. 



241 



'riK)ii;;li hi'ii^lit, Ikt cyr's' licwiidcfiiij; 
;,'li'ii,Mis, 
Kiiir- tri'iiiiilouH lii).H ami sliiiiinj^ li;iii-. 
And Mr'iii'i'fly sliiiiliiwfil liy (U^iiMi's (-clipHf! ] A soiiiftJiiiii^ born of inoiirnfiil (Iri'mns, 



Tlic Moft pMllictic lirow is tlir'ff, 

Willi ils L;li III truT Mini i;l;ilifr nl' ;^'()li|rli 
iiair, 



Till' ilcjiciitf! curs r ol' I lie i'aiilllcsM li|).s, 
'I'lii- IrcmiilfdiH, hiMJi T li|is I kissed, 
So coyly raised al ilir smiscit tryst, 
Ah W(! stood lioiii I he, rcistlcHH world 

:i)iarl, 
".Mid liir wllisperill'^ roli;iL,'e, jieidl, to 
lie;ii(. 

In '. lie i:iir, I'.ir yeiirs ol' yoiil li. 
\'el, I lie vision is pure, as lieaven, 

rntoiiejieil liy a hint of slrile 
l'"roiii tliepiiMsion thai, moved ilselT lo 

sleep, 
Oil I 111' inoriiiii'^ si rami of life ; 
And I kiiiiw ili;il, my liviiiL:; Love \voi!l(| 

feel 

Till' I leiiinr of nil lil'iil If^firs, 
If I lold of I he sweelmss and hope lli.il, 
drooped, 
So soon in I he \;inislied ye;irs: 
.S7/e would mil haiiish Ihe pli;ililoni 
s;id 
( )f a heaiily disei'ou ned iind low; — 
'';in ji'iiloiKy resi in Ihe rose's lire;ist 

< >f ;i lily under I he snow '.' 
<aii Ihe passion so warm and slroni^ 
lo-day 
l']nvy a ;,diost fi'om the cypress shades 
For an hour astray ? 
Or, the love Ihal waned like a hlii;]iled 
May, 
In I he dead days, lon;^ ''!«"» 
A li I Ion;;, liow Ion;; aj^o! 



Tin: HOS/-: AM) TIIOUX. 

Siik's loveliest of tli(! fi'slal Ihronn 
In (Ir-licatc form and (Grecian face 

A heaiitifiil, inearnal<? soni;: 
A inai'vel of hai'moiiioiis yracc; 

And yei I know tlu; truth I speak: 



IJreathes ronml hei- sad rruehanted 
air; 
No hlilhesoiiH' I hoii;4hls at hide, and seek 

From oiil her dimples smilinj^ slail: 
If still the, rose he oil her check, 
A thorn is in her lesirl. 

■Voim;^ lover, I'issed 'twi.xl, hope and fear, 
\'onr whispered vow and yearnini^ 
eyes 
Von m;i,rhle riytie [lillari'd near 

Conlil move as soon to soft rcpli(!s; 
Or, if she thiill at words yon speak, 
JjOVi''s memory prompts the sudden 
start; 
'J'iic, rose has paled upon hereheek, 
The thorn has pieieed her heart. 



7 7/ a; i:i:i) i.ii. v. 

I CAM, lier Ihe l.'ed Lily. Lo I she stands 
l'"roiii all her milder .sister (lowers 
apart: 
A conseioiiK ;;race in Ihosct fair-folded 
hands, 
Pressed on Ihe L;iiilefiil I lirohl)iiii;s of 
her hearl 1 

I call her Ihe l.'ed Lily. As all airs 
Of North or Soiil.h, tlu; Lily's ieavfis 
Ihal stir. 
Seem lost, in iaii^noroiis ,swc.ct,n('ss that 
(Icspiiirs 
Of hlissfiil life or lio,pc, cxc(^])t tliroii'^h 
lier; 

So this li'eil Lily of maids, this human 
llower, 
N'ieldiiiL; no love, all sweets of lov(r 
doth take. 



P'roiii those f;ay <;ronps she stands ; 'Pwininii siuh spells of jinssion's secret 



apart , 

A rosr ll| hrr Irlidi'l- cheek, 

A lliorn w il hill her lie.irt. 



jiowcr 
As, woven once, what lordliest will 
can hreak ? 



U4'i 



LATFH I'OKMS. 



L A KK M 7A^V / 1' IS K OO K K. 

Om: (lay tlio Kivor of l.itV llowoil o\>i- 
I'ho viMiiVtif ln'avoii's oiu'hanlcd shoiv. 
And falling withont lapso or btvak. 
Us waters foiinoil this wondixnis lake. 

11(MU'<> tho far sluvi\ o( Kilon palms 
Is luiiioioil in its silvorv ralms, 
Anil all its rioh ivrnloan dvos 
A IV lii'i'p as IJaphaol's sploiulid ovos. 

And luMU'o tho uniinaiiinod sii-aoo 
Whioh saitrtitios this lonely plaoo. — 
A subtle, soft, etheival spell 
Of liiiht and sound inelYable. 

Siuvly such ten)pi>ivd i^lory paints 
The niystie (,'ity of the faints; 
Such nvusie breathes its dvini; falls 
Above the heavenly palaee walls. 

<,> lake of peaeel whose still expanse 
(ileanis throuuh a iioldeu-niisted tea nee, 
F.arth holds thee saered and apart. 
The eloistered darliuu of her heart. 



[OomjH»so>i i\0!U- l.alvo Wiuiupiset^jtoc] 

As [ g;\7.ed on the pn>speet enehantod. 

On waves the sun-glory liad kissed, 
Theiv slowly swe\>t down fivni tho dis- 
tanee. 

The phantom-like bands of the mist, 

i">u their feet that were speetrallv sound- 
less. 

They glivled fautastie and ehill. 
While a preseient pallor eivpt over 

The beauty of iak^^side and hill I 

All natuiv givw eold at their advent I 
Like Thugs of the air. demon-born, 

With their eoils of blue vapor they 
strangled 
The virgin eft'ulgi^iee of morn. 

r>y that an\bnsh of darkness was giixUed 
Each bright beam in divary on\bn»oo. 



Till the fairest young dawn of September 

Lay wan on her death-shadowed faee. 

When wildly and weirdly.from sea-ward, 
.\ low wind how mournfully stolel 

Like an anthen\ out breathed for the 
morning. 
Thus sternlv divoreed from her soul! 



Tin: txn) I TAni.K cjr.w. 

Till" son>bre wings of the temi>est. 

In fetterless foree unfmled, 
l>uttet the faee of beauty. 

And sear the graee of the world; 

But they fade at length wiili the dark- 
ness. 

Ami softly from sky to sod 
Peaee falls like the dew of Kdon, 

From the openetl palm of Ciodl 

Earthquake, the angered Titan, 

A ooulinent eleaves apart: 
Yet soon the glamoin- of quiet heals 

Earth's smitten and tortmed heart. 

And sooi\ o'er tho ruin of oitios 
The sun-bright virginal gr.\ss 

Courtesies and eurvos into ilimplos. 
At tho kiss of tho winds that ^>JV5S. 

One lesson all nature teaehes. 
As balm to tho troubled breast. 

That after tho turmoil of passion 
There eometha time of rest. 

For tho anguish of life wanes downwanl 
Like tiro nnfanned by a bivath; 

And deep is tho ashen stilhioss 
On tho hearthstone eold of death! 



THE DKAP r.OOK. 

Lo! in its still, soft-shnnuled place, 
Tho pathos of a doath-ix»lo face I 

1 view tho marks of mortal earo 
Time's hopeless sorivws bnuidod there. 



JKTHAM. 



243 



Waiiiiitj hciiciilli llic iioisclfsH j^lidc 
Of Li-Mif's dim, nlinviil li.lc, 

Ah furrows on soriii' Iwiliu'hl Icii, 
V'AiW ill (MJIll \\;i\r s\\ci'|)s of I lie seal 

Across lli.'il bare, iiiilpfiiijid lnow 
'I'lir cliiisiri of ])carf lias fallen now, 

And, lij^iifcninfi lifit's aiisfcrecclipsc, 
A star-sofi, sniil(! lialli touclicd liic 
lips: 



Tlioiij^li Ills S(ial(r(l sii^lit tin- dcatli-niists 

mar, 
III- liatli a stiani^f look, fixed afar: — 

As if wan folds of eiulaineil eyes 
Treniiilrd ainiosi in a,el lo ris*;, 

And show wJKsnr (-ach cold-iiddcd sheath 
Now veils the wide, weird oriis Inmeatl), 

'I'he Tniii'ori'd i^Iow, tlie hlesl sMi'i)iisc 
Of some lirsl, i^lim|ise of I'aiadisc;! 




"Wliili; K'iiiil.i .l..uii Llii- ijiooiiJil hay, 
'I'lic wrcckcil liiill ''lc;uii<-(l lr(;;ii far." 



.iirrsAM. 



I'll --llii; llie eo.isl for miiny a rood 

Were franmenls of a slii|i\\recl< 
strewn ; 

And lliere in sad and somiire mood 
I walked th(r sands alone. 

'I'oiii hales and hi'oken boxes lay, 

llea])ed hi^li 'mid sii;iller-ed sails and 
sjjar. 

While Ki'i'iily down th(! inooidil hay 
The wreeked hull i^leanied from far. 

W^'ll had the storm its mission wrouijlit, 
Willi I liiindei' crash and liiiiouy roar; 
{•'or iiol one precious waif was hroii^iiL 

Safe to the ril^'l^ed shore. 



\{'\ stay! \\liat tiny sparklini; tiling 
Shines faintly in llie mooiilieanis 
eold '.' 
I stooped, and uoiideriii'j;, i^rasped a 
rin'4, 
A fairy rim; of ;iold. 

Of f^reat. and small, of rich and rare, 
Of all yon stranded vessel hore. 

Only this f;cm th(! waves woidd spar(! 
To cast, inihai'iue<l ashore. 

Willi \\li;il a deep and lender Ihrill 

I pill I he modes! i;em away. 
And while the silvei'y vajiors chill 

* rept i^host-like lip the hay, 



U44 



LA TKli /'OA'.IAS. 



1 ili'oauu'.l ol' slii 1 (-1 iii^ liiimau lixrs 
W iv.'Ur.l on Kal.-'s coKl ana cnn'l 
loc. 

'I'rusliiiu llial skmu' small \\o\^v survives, 
Spanvl In llu'iii iVtiiii ihc sea I 



r.iMKi.Hss (;i;.irrs. 

1 MAi.KF.K llu" anciont ^ravinard's ani- 
l>lt' I'ouiul. 
Vol I'oiuul ihi'iciii not one illustrious 
nauu' 
Wcil.li'.l In !),'alli to Kauic. 

'IMu' M-a-w iuils luoaucd by each (K'sortoil 
luouuil. 
\VluMi- uioulilcring inai'l>los shod tlu'ir 
punjivut musl 
0"«'f iliat worn lunuan dust. 

'I'liin cloudU'ts passed, with purpled 
skifts of rain 
(Jra/iuu' the sentinel pf\it>-ti-ees, <;auut 
and tall: 
SiMue tivuiblinu to theii' fall. 

Fi'oni out the luisiy nir.rsh-lauds next 
the main, 
Louii Hues of euilews in the sunset 
thune, 
AVith dissonant noises ean\e; 

O'erswept the tombs in slow, hicli- 
wheeliuj; tliuht, 
.Vnd while the siuiset verged on eve- 
ning's gray. 
Faded, ghostlike, away. 

yet ilow u the dusky, shimmering, weird 
twilight 
(Though lost their forms beyond the 
outmost hill). 
Their strange eries ,si>uiuled still: — 

rrolonged by eltiu eehoi-s, "mid the 
UH'ks. 
Or hipsinii" in sad, plaintive wails to 
die 
"Tw i\t darklim;- wave and skv. 



'I'he gairulous sparrows, iu home-wend- 
ing lloeks, 
StMighl their laide nests among those 
shattered tombs. 
X'eiled now in vesper gtiH>ms : 

Till o'er the si'ene a niystie inlluenee 
stole: 
Tho wavo-iMiamored winds their lun- 
ions ftuied ; 
I'ale Silenee elasped the world. 

Heside a gr.ne. the lowliest of the w hoK' 
Obseiu-e repnblie of tin- tameless dead, 
Tansing. 1 mused, and said: — 

.Vll graves .-^re etiuall His, the laurelled, 
great, 
Miraeulous Shakspeare's, some far day 
sliall rest 
As level on Kartli's breast, — 

And all unknown — through stern he- 
itests of Fate — 
As this, round whieh the rustling 
doek-leaves meet 
Here, langKHl at my ft"et. 

.Vll graves are equal tv> all-eonquering 
Tinu-: 
Si'ornfid. he laughs at monuntental 
stones, — 
AVasting a great n\an's bmies, 

.\ great man's st-puiehre, though reared 
sublime 
Toward heaven, until both stone and 
reeonl pass, 
Moi'ke(l by the lUppant grass: 

The feeblest weeds in Nature llaunting 
high 
-Vboxe a Shakespeare's or a Panto's 
dust : — 
Just then a gontlo gust 

Iheathod from beyond tho gloaming: 
Night's first sigh 
Of eouseious life touehod the awakened 
trees. 
And blended with tho soa's 



2 HIS Til AM OF THE IVUO/J. 



245 



MoiiolDiiDiis iiiiirmiir, sfoiiiffl to whis- 
per low : 
'• 1 rise, and sink, am lioiii, and 1o.S(j 
my hrratli, 
Vcl am iioi, IkI'I I'V Dcalli. 

" For siiH-c (lie world l»l•.^all — wlicii sun- 
set's glow 
.Melis in Mic western tidfs — my air of 
lialm 
Itises. if cailii lie calm.* 

*' My spell is saercd, wheresoe'er it falls; 
The (lieariest graves grow hrighter at 
my voice, 
And human h(!arts r<'joic<!, 

" Jieoaust! thai 1. winged from these twi- 
light halls, 
In tliis, my life renewed, would subtly 
se(;in 
A sw(;et, haif-iitlered ijicani 

*'<ll inimoilalily, made hijglil liy love: 
'I'lial lo\(; which hinds the humblest 
human clod 
Fast to the throne of Jiod." 

1 left the gi-aves; but now my gaz(! 
above 
iianged thi'ough the hea\enly spaces, 
clear and far: 
I marked t he vesper star 

SiUer the edges of the wavering mist, 
And lent r'ed in an air-wrought, lumi- 
nous isle 
Of lambent glory, smile; — 

bmile like an angel whom the Loi'd hath 

kis>ell. 

And freed from arms divine, in soft 

release. 

To bless our earlh with jieace. 

• Wlijit dweller by the ocean can liave faileil 
to remark the almost invariable risint;, just 
after sunset on (juiel evenings, of this gentle 
air, a very si({li of traiKiuillity, a breath, as it 
were, from (ioil ;' 



in. \ '/■/:/! nosK. 

(ioi/s heiiison upon each happy day 
Dead now and gouel — its gentle gho.st 

our fe(;t 
Doth follow, singing faintly; and how 

sweet — 
'j'enderly sweet, as through a luminous 

mist — 
Its shadowy lijis draw near us. to he 

kissed! 
.\nd though they melt upon the yearning 

mouth 
Like fairy halm from some phantasjnal 

south, 
Their touch is magic: and we feel the 

start 
,\s of an unsealed founiain. close at 

heart — 
'J'ill, warmed, restored, breathiiiL: a lim'. 

Our innermost naliu'e. wakening, glows 

amn\ : 
While, gemmed by sunset menioi-y"s i-a- 

dianl dew, 
\a>\ the heart hlossoms. like a Winter 

KoS(;! 



T/;/s//:.iM OF Tin: u noh. 

Onck, when the autumn lields weie dim 

and wet, 
The trum[)ets rang; the tide of battle set 
Toward gray Ihoeeliande. by the 

western sea. 

Ill the foi'e-froni of conlliel lii'imly 

stood. 
Clothed in (lark armor. Ti-islram of the 

Wood, 
Ami round liim ranged his knights ol' 

Jh'ittany. 

Of lordli(!r frame than even the lordliest 

there, 
l'"ii-m as a tower, upon his vast (IcHlrcrc, 
lie looked as one whose soul was 

sttMdied in Manc<!. 



•2-U) 



LAI'/:/; rorMS. 



Ne'er spake nor stirred he, though the 

triini|)('t's souiul 
Ei'hiHHl abnuul. and all tlio ulitlcrhig 

groiiiul 
Sliook to tilt' sltH'1-rhul warriors' swift 



ISVer spake unr slinvd lu\ for tlie mys- 

t ic hoiif 
C'lost'il o'crliiiii ihcn; the lilainour of its 

power 
Dream-wrought, ami sailly l)oautifiil 

with love — 

Love of the lost Iscult. hi marvellous 

stead 
Of througimi' faees. w itli looks stoni and 

dread. 
Through tlu' dense dust, the hostile 

Illumes above, 

lie saw his fair, lost Iseult's passionate 

eyes. 
And o"er the erasli o< lauees heard her 

eries, 
Shrill with despair, when last they 

twain did part. 

AVliile others thrilled tostrife, he, thrilled 

with woe. 
Felt his life-eurrents shuddering eold and 

low 
Kound the worn liastions of his broken 

heart. 

Then n>lled his wav the battle's furious 

Hood: 
►Sipiadroiis charged on him lilindly; 

blows and blood 
Showered down like hail and water; 

vainly drew 

The whole war round him; still his 

hioailsword's gleam 
Flashed in death's front, and still, as 

wrapjied in dream, 
lie fought and slew, witting not wliom 

he slew , 



Nor knew whose ai'in had smitten him 

deep and sore — 
So deep that Tristram never, never 

more 
Shone in tlie van of eoiitli<-l ; but tlu' 

smart 

Of his lieree wound tortured him night 

and day. 
Till, throimh (lod's grace, his life-blood 

ebbed away. 
And death's sweet (|uiel healed bis 

liroken heart. 



i//\rs' or .srnixd. 

[( OMl'osi:i> IN SU'KNKSS.] 

" Wlu'u tlie liill-siilo lireaks into jireoii. every 
hollow of blue shaile, every curve of tuft, and 
Illume aiul temlril, evorv broken sunbeam on 
spray of young leaves is iwir.' So spriiij/ 
is a reprenentation of aui/ fonncr spring.'" — 
(iorriii:. 

.V soKri:MN(i of the misty heaven. 

A subtle murmur in the air; 

The elect i-ie Hash through eoverls old 

Of many a shy wing, touched with gold; 

The stream's unmnllled voice, that calls. 

Now shrill and clear, now silvery low. 

As if a fairy llute did blow 

Above the sylvan waterfalls; 

Each mellowed .souuil, eaeli (|nivering 

w ing 
Heralds the liappy-hearted Spring: 
Karlh's best beloved is drawing near. 

Amid the deepest woodland dells. 

So late birlornly cold and drear. 

Wafts of mild b'l-vor. iiroiM-eanl breaths 

Of gentle heat, unclose (he shealbs 

Of fresh-formed buds on bower and tree; 

A si>irit of soft revival looks 

Coyly from out the young-leaved nooks. 

Just dimpling into greenery; 

Thronuh flashes of faint primrose bloom. 

Through delicate gleam and golden 

gloom. 
The wonder of the world draws near. 



77/A' HAWK. Till': 'I'lH K III'lAVKN. 



247 



On some dew-sprinklcil. ilomlliss hkjiii, 
SIic, in luT full-liUnvii joyiuice nire, 
Will ])iiss hi'yond licr Orient gate, 
^SIniling, serene, calmly elate, 
All garmented in liglit and grace,: 
iler footsteps on tin; hills shall shine 
In heanty, and her matchless face 
.Make the fair vah^s of earth divine. 
O godd(!ss of tlie azure eyes, 
'I'he deep, decqi charm that never dies. 
Delay not long, delay not long! 
Come clad in i)erfume, glad witli song. 
Breathe on me from thy jx^rfect lijis, 
Lest mini! be cIoscmI, and death's <'ciips(! 
Kise dark bet\v<!en 
Me and tliine advent, tender queen. 
Albeit thou art so near, so near! 



THE HAWK. 

A.Miiusiii;i) in yonder cloud of white, 
Far-glittering fiom its azure height. 
He slirouds his swiftness and his might! 

liiit oft across tlie (echoing sky, 
Long-drawn, though uttered suddenly, 
We hear his strange, slu'ill, bodeful cry. 

Winged robber! in liis vaporous tower 
Secure in craft, as strong in power, 
Coolly he bides tlie fated hour, 

Wiii'ii tliro' cloud-rifts of shadowy rise. 
Earthward are bent his ruthless eyes. 
Where, blind to doom, the quarry lies! 

And from dense cloud to noontide glow, 
(liis fiery gaze still fixed I>elow), 
He sails on pinions proud and slow' ! 

Till, like a fierce, embodied ray, 

Ue hurtles down the dazzling day, — 

A death-flash on his startled prciy ; 

And where Init now a nest was found, 

Voiceful, beside its grassy mound, 

A few brown feathers strew the ground ! 



OVEU THE WATERS. 
I. 

OVKU the crystal waters 
■Sh(! leans in careless grace. 

Smiling to vii^w within them 
Her own fair hapi)y face. 



The wav(!s that glass her beauty 
No tiniest rip[)l(j stirs: 

What liiunan heart thus coldly 
Could mirror grace like hers ? 



THE TIUJE HEAVEN. 

Tuio bliss for which oiu' si)iritH pine, 
That bliss we feel shall yet be given, 

Somehow, in some far realm divine. 
Some jnarvclloiis state we call a 
lu-avcn. 

Is not the Idiss of languorous hours 
A glory of calm, measured range. 

But life which feeds oin- noblest x)0wers 
On W(jiiders of eternal change ? 

A heav(!n of action, freed from strife. 
With ampler ether for tlie scope 

Of an immeasurable; life 

And an unliaflleil, boundless hope. 

A heaven wlicrein all discords cease, 
Self-torment, doubt, distress, turmoil, 

The core of whose majestic peace 
/.s <j<iiU'ikc (xxfj'r of liff'le.'i.s toil. 

Toil, without tunuilt, strain or jar, 
With grandest reach of range endued. 

Unchecked by even the fartliest star 
Tliat tremljles thro' infiuituile; 

In whicli to soar to higher heights 
Through widening ethers stretched 
abroad. 

Till in our onward, upward flights 
We touch at last the feet of God. 



lilS 



LATER rOKMS. 



Tinu' s\\ allow (>il in cli'iuilx I 
No ( 111 me cv (MMuni' : uoiiasi, 

lUll OIU' uiitMuliiij;- NOW. in Ih' 
A boumllcss circlo rouiul us cast.! 



/•///■ /.7,77v/'.s' (>/•' ,n\\i-:. 

On I s\\(>i'i ami soil, 
lu'lnniiui; oil. 
A-< oil iln-\ i>ass luMiijiiilv . 
Tlu" waini .binii' broozos conu' and ^o. 
riuouuh ^i'Kli'u rounds ol' i\un iniiioiis 
How. 
.\l ItMijilh lo sigh, 
\V;ix t'aini and dio, 
V:\v <lown ilu> i>aiuinj;' primroso sky. 
1 'i\ incly I 

'riioimli sofi and low 
I'lioso hiviv.os Mow . 
riuMr\ oii'o i.spas.sioM's wholly; 
.\\u\ ah I our hoarls go forth lo nwoi 
'V\\o hunhMV t>f ilu'ir music swool. 
Kiv yot il sighs. 
Fainls. tailors, dios. 
l>o\vn Iho rich path of suusot skies — 
Half glad, half luclaucholy! 

l>cnd. hcnd ihinc carl 
Oh I iiark atul hear 
What vows each Milhc ucw-ctMucr. 
K.ich warm .huic hrcc/.c that comes and 

goes. 
Is w hisiHM'ing to the royal rose. 

Attd star-pale lily, trcuthling nigh. 
Kre yet in subtlest harmony 
Its nmrnturs die. 
Wax faint and die. 
On thy tlushed hosou). passiiMiatt^ sky. 
Of vi>ulhful sunuuiM'I 



.4 MorwAix rixry. 

[l\ospootl(\lly iusvM-itvil te Mrs. 1\. .>*. Stori-s.] 

("l.osK to each mouittain's tinvcring peak 
.V white clotid leans its tearful chock. 
Till all its soul of t\»ystic pain 
Dissolves in slow, soft, vaporous nun. 



rim'~. wIh'u our heart-griefs seek aright 
Some ln'axeuiy Thought's majestic 
heighl. 

Their i>a-.sion. louehed by loflier air. 
Ihssohcs in lender misls of ]ira\erl 

Jollersou Hill lions.-. While Mouiilaius. N.ll., 
Sei'lomlior. ISTII. 



ti:si\\( r i\n rorr. 

^\ 1' ui'cd the clasp of hand in band, 
■{'lie liglil llasbed warm from lu'igbbor- 
iiig eves: 
Or else as wcarv seasons pass — 
Alas! alasl' 
(hir icudtM'csl lo\e grows wan and 
dies. 

■Tb(> fatal \ears lik<> st'as expand 

"Twixi souls that long have dwelt 
apart. 
Till. broatbM\ing o'er our being's verge, 
'The ruthless surge 
I.o\(""s memory sweeps from out the 
bean. 

O Abscneel ibou iinre\ erenecd nealhl 
'Thy dtMisc. uncimsccratcd clay 

Innrns alYcction past regret ; 
No hint is set 
'TbcrciMi i>f IJcsuircelion Da v. 



rnr r.u i.rx risr toxr. 

1 I 111" thee. thus, thou brown and rug- 
ged ("(MIC. 
Well poised and high, 
net w con the lloworing grixsscs and the 
sky ; 
..Vnd. as sea-voices dwell 
Tn the lino ohamboi-s of the ocean-shell. 

Sv) fancy's oar 
AVi;hin thy mmtberless. dimoontplexitics 

Hath seemed ofttintes to hoar 
The in\i>risoncd spirits of all winds that 
I blow : 

Winds of late autnnm that lan\cntiug 
moan 



S'/'hiix ri;ir//s i nAssriai hhd. - iioiuzoni^. 



24!) 



A<T<)HH tluiwlld H(;ii-Hiiri,'cH' cIiIiiiimI How; 
Siorm-wiiids ol' wiiilci' iinllowcil lo u 

si-,'li, 
li()ii^-ili;i\\ II ;iiiil phiiiilivc; or — how 

liiii;<'iiii;;!y ! — 
Soil, cfliocs of llic spriii^'-tidc's joimukI 

l.iv.v.c, 

iijinl w it h I he siiiiiiiirr soul li wind, mil r- 
iiiiiiinn low ! 

\\li;il woiidcT, I'airy cone, Mi.il, thou 

siioiilirsl, liold 
Till' scMiilihiiH'c of liicsc voices ? diiy ;uid 

iiiuJii , 
I'roiiill\ ciil hroiird ii{ioii llic Wiivcrini^ 

iiri-lil 

< )f yon iiion;iicli;il |)iiic, liioii did'sL 

alisoi'li 
'I'iic ciciiii'iital \ ill lies of all aii's, 

'I'iiiiiil or Im,M. 
.Measures of i;ciil ji' joys and wild despairs, 
Hreatiied from all (|iiailcrsof our eliaiii;i'- 

fiil orl.; 
W'lii'l licr u ii Ji mi Id I less frei^hfiul or wilh 

mi'j,lil, 
lull) lliy form lliey eiilcred, (,o remain 
j'iacli I. he slraii^e |iliaiiliim of a, [x^rished 

lone. 

All ci'iii'. marvellous si rain 
1'ciif in t his I iiiy 1 lailes maih; fo fold 
(i host sol I hi' heavenly couriers Ion '4 aLCo, 

Sunk as nnii dnai 1 hy ocean and by 

shore, 
liilo the void of sili'iiei' I'M'rniore! 



,s' 7 '/•; I! \ 11! I ■ r//s 77/ , / .\ ,v /■■/(; I' it i<: n. 

'riiiiM; moiinlaiii forms of i;ianf i;irlh 
,\ii' rooled ili'i'p in moveless earlli; 
Jhil. lo! llieir yearniiii; heights willi- 

draw 11, 
Arc iiii'lliiii; ill soft sca.s of dawn. 

^Vllat l;i)1i1i'ii lii,rhls and shadows kiss 
Ih'own li'ili;c ami Tilaii ]iri'cii)iee! 
Till all the I'ock-hoiind, sullen .space 
(Hows like a visionary face: 



Thus fi'ovMiin;^ I rut lis wliosi; I'oots are 

furled 
Kf)und bases of some i^ranile world, 
May lift, their mellowed li^htafar, 
TraiiHlif^iired hy love's luoniiiig-slar. 



DISTANCE. 

Wiiv is it, tliat, yon far-off. mellowi'd 

liorn 
Sounds like an aiitii|ue story, half-for- 

loru, 
llalf-sweet,, with iferance of rare I'choii.s 

sent, 
dp the serenely listeiiini; (irmameiit '.' 

I thrill, soul-smitten by each melting 

lone 
y\ bout, till! golih'ii disLaufc si)ar'(!s l)]owii, 
vXs if soft pathos came, 011 rhyt,hmlc sigh.s 
l<'rom out, the heart id' vanished eeiitu- 



Distanci' is magic! in il,s fairy hold 
Are alcheiines thai change oven dross to 

gold,— 
While beauty's nym|)li, too closely s(!f!ii 

or ])ressed, 
McllH to mere shadow from I he enaiiiored 

(|U(;st! 



noinzoss. 

I I.OVK to gazi! along the horizon'.? 
verge, — 
'i'o strain my sight where stee]ied in 
golden-gray 
The siin-ilhimined vapors gonlly surge, 
'i'o melt- in mcasureloss distances aw ay. 

T gaze and gaze, till tears bedim my eyes, 
And loiigiieless fancuis haunt mc, 
\ague and fond ; 
P'Jhereal boundary ! blending earth and 
skies, 
Ah! dost thou veil some marvellous 
realm hcvoiid '.' 



•jr»(> 



/..I77'/.' r<>/:Ms. 



I><'('it spilil (>r uiiur' llmii. Ii'ii, art 
N||':m;;,'l\ luMUiil 
llx far Itori/ons, \ apoiniis, ilim, aiiil 
\aNi : 
l'.i'\i«iul llu' rail!',!' ol will's, • .'ii.'liaiil I'll 
rouuil. 
Not r\cn ihc v.cini <>l wcinl ill-cams 
lia\i' (lasst'il I 



i\ nil- (./.• I ) ('/• /■///' I) i.\i\t!. 

\\ ri M\. 

\VllKN o'er you lon'si snlituilcs 
'riu> sky »>l' aiilumi\ rxiiiiu;; brooils -- 
A lu-avtMi whose wai'p, Inil i>ali'l\ lM'i;;hl. 
MiKl lliriMi",li willi wool's ol' iTiiuson 

iiniu. 

No slowly waui's with wanin;; tlay — 
\\ halovor tiioiiiihls, paliuMii', s\V(>(>t 
Aio woui u> fivwii roimil Memory's fool, 
I'loaiiinu with soil ami sacroil siross 
To lu' upciUijihl in tomloruoss; 
WhiVtovor tlumjjlUs liko thoso ihoro aro. 
Chooso ll>o woird hour 'twi\i siui ami 

star. 
(M" t'ailiuu; bivo/.o. auil w hisixnous soa. 
Auil that still hoavou o'or loalauil loa. 
'I'o louio oai'h thouuhl a liMUinnalo 

hliss 
laubraoiu;; Iho I'ahuod soul, to kiss 
Till' I'alloi- of olil oarosawa). 

O twilight sky of \uollow' s^ray, 
Vhishod with I'aiut huosi i> voioofut 

I roos, 
l.iltiui;low l>allails to Iho biotv.o! 
1> all yo uiilil auiouitios 
WhoiH^w itli I ho solouiu ovo is ril\>. 
At this straugo liour 'twi\i iloath ami 

lifo; 
Tlioiioatli of hoautO(n\s (lay. whoso last 
IMiu ti<>tsaro aiuiost ovorpast. 
A\'ho livos alouo in oiloi-s hUnit 
IM' ovoi'y si\htlost ohMUout, 
Uonu> ou a fairy rain-liko ilow . 
Kxhaloil. Mot (h'opp<Hl fi\mi out thi^hluo; 
Tho Mfo of stju-s tltat i>no hy ouo 
Aiv niustoriui; o'or tho suiikon sun, 



Ami wafts of vaiiuo oarth-poifunio blown 
I'p lo (lie |iim>-li'oo's qMivoiin-;' oouo, 
I'roui lualh llowors liiiUlou in otiol 

!;rass, 
l.iko spells of .1,-lioalo bahn. yo pass 
lulo m\ woarioil lioari ami bfain. 

W'lial room for au\ sordiil paiu 
^^'itluu mo now '.' Ah! Nalurosooms 
Through somolhiu^ swoolor than all 

ilroams. 
To woo mo; \oa. slio sooms lo spoaiv 
How olosol_\ , kiiiillv. lior fouil ohook 
h'oslotl ou miiio. lioi' m\siii- hlooil 
I'ulsiuii iu lomlor U(>ii;hborhooil. 
Ami soft as aiiv moilal uiaiil. 
Half voiloil ill ilio Iw ili:;lil sliailo, 
W ho loans al>o\o hor lo\ o to toll 
Soorols almost iiiolVatilo! 



/•///• I /,s/().V .( /• III II /(.///•. 

I I'o v.. K,, (Vlolior, ISTii.l 

W't nioi r t ho sipiart^s of nhsinl pam\ 

1 saw iho wan anlnnu\al rain. 

.Vnd ht>iini, o'or tufls of ohurolnaril 

li'rass, 
Tho wind's k>w iiiistrtrr pass. 

Witlun. nioro briirhl foroulwani uioom. 
1 saw hor wiUl-roso ohooks abloom, 
.\nil, (loop as stars in npponuost skios. 
Tho lusin> of dark Syriaii oyosi 

Without, still ilroarior grow Iho sigh 
Of tlu> ^"llill oast wind shnddoring by, 
\Yildor tht> sad. strango nu>aning niado 
Honoalh tho olm t roos' ia\ loss shado. 

Within, as if Iho oinbotliod south 
Had opoi>od hor onohautiHl mouth. 
I oanghl. through twilight's gray oohpso, 
Tho n\usio fnun hor graoious lips. 

It broathoil siioli swoolnoss, puroly ih>op. 
t>u ni\ dull pain it di\>ppt>d liko sloop. 
•• Mow vain." 1 llu>nght. " this g-jUhoring 

gloom ; 
Some hotvvonly prosonoo tills il>o room!'* 



A.\ iiuun ruu LATK.— Tiir: L(jiujsiiii' of cuiU'i:. -ihi 



AikI wIii'ii Iiit wiiriM liiiml, |>iilsiii<; 

yonl li, 
Oil lllilir sllf prrsscd ill <^'llili'lcss nilli, 
Oiic iiKiiiifiil, cliiii'iiii'il l.liroiii^ii Ijlood 

iiiiil lii'uiii, 
I I'l'll my <nvn IdsI. yinilli ii'^aiii! 

Willi (|iiirkriici| lirart ;uicl lil'Icil lii'ad 
I vii'wrd IIk; vision iH'iir my l»id, 
Kill lovflicr lor thill. f'.iivioiiH j^lodiii, 
ll'T iii'iivi'iily iMcsi'iiri' blessed liir room! 



A\ IK hi: rtx) i..\ri:. 

I ii.w i; lovrd you, oh, how iiiiidly! 
I liiivi- wooed you Hol'lly, siully, 
As IIm- cliaiiticriil years wciil. hy; 
^'el, yon kepi, your liiiiij^hty disliiiiee, 
^'et. yon scorned my iirave persisteiir-o, 
Whilr I he loii'_', loii^ years wenl, hy. 

Now I lial. colder lovers leave you, 

Now thai. I""ale and TiiiK! hereave you 

(Kor l.lie cruel years «?/// (ly), 

In your hcaiily's pale decleiisioii 

^ oil would yrace with coiidesceiisioii 

The love t hat. loiiclied you never 

W hen your hlooiii iiiiil hopes were hi^^li. 

A li I hill u h;il ir I disco\iT 

'rii;il loo loiii; in aiiliijiie lashion 

I have iiiii'sed a I'riiiliess passion, 

\V hose ra^e and reij^n (lliank Heaven!) 

Are passi'd al. leiii;Mi and o\er - 

Thai. I'at.e hal.ll loekeij loicver love's 

golden l']den (;ate '.' 
There's a wron^; heyoiid redressinf^, 
TluM'e's a pri/,(' not, worth possessing,;, 
And a lady's condesceiiMion 
.Mav eoine an Imiii- lim Inlc ! 



"TOO LOW AM) YET TOO UK ill' 

\\v. caiiie in V(dvel and in ^ohl ; 

lie wooed hei' with a careless j^raee; 
A ••oiiliilcnce too raslily hold 

r.re:illicd in hi-, hi ni^Miai^e a ml iii^ I'ik 



Wliilf! slif! — a slinpli! maid — replied : 

" No iiiorc! of love 'Uvixt, thee, am) im;! 
'I'Ik^sc tricU.'i of jiassion I deride, 

Nor trust, thy hoaslcd verily. 

'I'liy suit, with arlfiil smile ami si^l', 
Kesif^n, resi^Mi : 
A'o iiiiih' mil I I'm- lliif III- lllilir, 

ISrili;/ loo loir, Oil, I III I l.iii liiij/,!'' 

His spirit changed ; his iieart, <^iew warm 

Willi 'genuine passion; morn hy morn 
.More peih'ci Mcnwd tiie viri;in chiirin 

'j'hal. <Touiii:d he)' "mid the liprnin^ 
eorii. 
And now he vvoo(;d with i'ei'ViMil, mien, 

Will) soul intense, and worils oT lire, 
{'.III reverence-l'rau;;lil, as if a (pieeii 

Were, hearkeiiiun i<> his heatt.'s desire. 
She hrif^litly hliished, she ^eiilly si;;hed. 
Vet. st,ill the villa^'c. maid replied 

(Thoii^^h in sad a(;eenls, wearily): 
'' Thy suit, resi^'n, 
lfeHii,'n, resi},ni ! 
Lord, lliin/i, I iicrrr ran lir lliiiic 

'I'oO loin 11,111 /, IIikI i/rl, loo liiijli!''^ 



'I'llE l.oniisiiii' OF <<)i:i<il. 

\ 1,1 1. 1. Ml (ii i,',ii;, 

Wii \i lime o'er t,'ory lands and Uneat- 
en ini; seas 

Fair fortune, wearied, fled I he (hmkusi — 

WHiat. lime from m;iny a ii;iim the 
waters woo 

III the warm sonlh. '" Who noir ^imll 
inlv Cni-fn r' 

Iiose with I he ea!.;er passion and lii-rci; 
<ireed 

Of I. hose who preyed on esciy empire's 

need, 
'{"here fell upon llial isle's disliearli'inil 

hraAc 
A wild despiiir, siidi as in one dark 

n|-;i vc 

•Mi^lll well Ii;ive wlM'llllcd I lie | iiosl r;itr 

iimI ion's pride. 
Her honor. strent;th, (radii ions ^ all 

hesidr 



252 



i.Arr.ii ror.Ms. 



Whioli oi'Dwus a. race with soveiviguty. 

Suliliiuo 
Alunc ll\(> rvckli'ss jnu'poso o( his time 
Tlioir ratriaivli sloixi, ami siuh wiso 

woitls l\o spalvo 
Till' bas(Ni souls arc liirilloii. \\w I'.'obifst 

\\ak<' 
'1\> sonii' limh aim. soiuo passion ^raiul 

and Iroo. 
Sonio ooi'Jial j;raoo of lua^naninuty : 
j?y siu'h unwontoil powiMMhov \ iolil thoir 

all 
To liini I hat (~aiiu\ as it' at liodln-airs 

oall. 
To savo tho stale, whoso sliiokon pillars 

ivol. 

How works the Vatriaivh for his potiplo's 

\\oar.' 
Cahnly ho hiiis thonilatiuch ihoir statioh- 

osl kool — 
A ji-orgoinis ^.alUn : on hor ilooks (hoy 

raiso 
('.roat uoUloii altars, ojrt hy liuhts that 

hla/o 
IMvinoly. and l>y nmsio's mystic rain. 
l>lom of soft spoils, half swootivoss and 

half \Miii. 
Fallon from onl the liiiihost hoavon of 

song. 

And thiMV. topmify all sonls of wronii 
And latont sin. ho oalls from far autl 

noar 
Nohios .-ind ]>riosls and pooplo. K\ory 

whoro 
Tho paths ai't^ fnll. whioh. sloping: 

stooi>ly dow n 
l-'rom tho L^rotMi pasiuri* auvl tho wallod 

tow n. 
Loavl oooanward. whoro. ani~horod noar 

Iho ()nav. 
That saorod ,s;alloy hoavod alon^' tho 

soa — 
TTor o;\|>lain no rndo marinor. with soul 
Tongli as tho ooiMaji'o his brown hands 

ot^ntrol. 
l>iU tho liiay Patriaroh. liftii\i; oyos of 

nravor. 



Whilo o'or tho ivvoront thonsands. oahn 

in air. 
Tho saorod host shouo liko an awfid 
star. 

"rhildroi\! "" ih,> r.iiriaroh oriod. "If 

stronu \t- aro 
To trust in hoa\.n — alboii hoa\on's 

niossa^o soul 
This day through nio. soou\ stranuo. and 

slrauiioly hlont 
With ohanoo-fod issno.s — swoar. what- 

o'or botido. 
\\ hon onoo om* untuoorod bark dolh 

(lootly uiivlo 
(.>"or tho bluo spaoos of tin* inidtaud 

soa — 
What llaii soo'or tirst i^ivots om- oajior 

\ iow . 
Oiu' ow n to voil. and lunubly \ iold thoro- 

10 

Tho faith and so\oroi_m\ I'lainis of fair 
rorfu." 

Tlh\v vowod a vow luolhiuks no"or\owod 

hofoiw 
Tho whilo Ihoir i;alloy. siraugoly ladon. 

boro 
Down tho south wind, whioh froshly 

blow from shoro. 

Past Vido and San Salvador ihoy 

spod. 
Past stonny hoisihts and oapos whoso 

rook-strown hoad 
15alllod Iho sni'iivs: still no ship thoy 

mot. 
Till, sailing: far boytnul tho rush and 

frot 
Of shift iuirsand-lookod bars, at last thoy 

uain 
Tho opou and illin\itablo main. 

Thoro in ouo lino twt> i^allam \ossols 

rodo: 
Pront this tho lurid (^rosoom bannor 

dowod. 
Prom that tho rampant l.ion of St. 

Mark's! 



iM.i.ri.Aii /'■.iJj..> 



25:i 



MiK'li, iiiiuli lln'V woiidfii'^l wlii'ii 
III hsMii'l IIk'Iii ilri'W , 

Willi Klill'TllI^; ilrrki, I he !/,lll''.V Irolll 

< ..llll, 

IJj^lili-il liy liipiTs l;ill of iiiyrifnl <I,Vh, 
Anil rrliolii({ i'li:iiil.*4 III' liuly iiliiiiJi'M. 

iSdiili illili) 1)1)1 li llll' 'I'll m;iiiji' ii\rn^;i'^t; 

r;uii<' ; 
l''i)r loinl d'it :iiilii|iii' liuiiii .'iii'l :ill;ii' 

II. mil' 
'I'lirill'il llll- i'IiIi'I'h viilri', " lli'jirki'ii, yi' 

rhiil iiowiTs! 
Wliirlii'MT IIi'mI, iiiiiy loiji'li our ininril 

llAMTN* 

'I'lii'iiii'loilli Khitll III- llll- lorili of liiir 
('iiild!" 

('Iiiiiit;i'i| \MiH Mil- \\iiiil, iiiiil l;iiiih\;iril 

MOW il lili'M ; 
SiiiilJii;:; llll- w.iM'S III loMiii ll;il(i'M uilil 

iiiiil whili-. 
All MiiU wi'ii- lirai'i'l, I In- iowitm iowi'iI 

Willi iiiiv'lil. 

lilll. MIOII IIk- ihlulul IIK'II IliriMll |)mI|' lit 
hl'l' 

TIk' 'I III k'.s pi'iiw Mir;;iii;; vji,in\;iril mIi'iiiI 

il.V. 
'I'ill liM' lull li'li^;lliH ;ilii';ii|, I'liri'i'iiiiK 

Willi Ihiiiiiliij;; llii^j; iiml link wanl ■iwoop 

ill^' IIKlHl, 

Ami Mi'ori'H of liilioi'iij;; rowi'iH ln'iil, iiHoiii: 
'rowiinl oarM which iiiaili; cool li;;lil.iiiii^M 

ill lllC Kllll, 

Till' rayiiim cral'l — iiiiIchh hoiih' mar 

Vr'HiilH I llill'/ 

.SIidmM lia|) Id itiimIi Iht i'M'U' or I'lip hi-r 

wiii;^ - 
Si'i'iiii'il .siin- an thai lilai-k l''ali' wlii<li 

iir;,'cil her on 
Viclor lo prove, ami llial proml islaml 

raci- 
To loail wilii Mlcki'iiiii'^ liiirili'in ol ilis 

HVtUu: ! 



• TIli'Md " ToVVerH," \Vi' lllllnl ri'llFC'llll)! T, WlTl 

liiilll III Willi III)' Miilixliiiii I III)' I'lly wiiIIh 

wlili^li roHi- iilii'U|>l.ly oiil. Ill' llll' wiili'i'H of llll 



Ami now on crowilc,(| ilcikn ami ciowij- 

I'll hhorc 
Naii,"lil 1)11' llll' rri'Mlii'iiinj^ Hca wimrK 

lioiloiv roar 
\Vai licanl, willi llap ol rope ai.-l claiij; 

of hail, 
V'ccrinti; a jioinl, lo lalih I lie rlianyiiii; 

< )r I'lirioin la.>',lie i ol' llie l/iiHeliii" oai I 

.lii-.L IIm-ii llie tall V'eiielian hlra,ii^;e|y 

eh.ur'e'l 
Her i.,|e;n|ra,Sl, COIirHe, Willi open porl- 

lioleM riuii,'eil 
'(ijiiiiil, llie far loun. Acid'v.^ llie sea- 

W a.-'.le e;ime, 

l'"iril, a -.liaip lla:-ili ami liiijil 'loiiil of 

Maine, 
'I'heii III" ilnll hooiii of I lie on -iieeiliiij.'; 

hall, 
{''ollouej l)V oiiml •■ wliii'li lo Ihe iMli'H- 

llieii ei'iii 

Swccf a,M file wakeiiin;; i'roin ;.ome iii<'lil- 

iiiarc ilreani — 
The moiiihIs of Mplinlereil lower :im| 

craHhin'^ wall I 

Then ro-e a 'hrill eiy |o I he vhi verin|,^ 

lie;i\ I'M 
" 'I'/iil:-'., lliiiH III ii,< ijditr iaIiiiiiI riilllii IH 

Uii-iii I " 
Itnrsf uy, one voice from oiil l he ci,ni|iiei'- 

in;:, crew : 

" 'I'/lllH Vriiirr rinh,,:, II, f hn<l .'.hi p (,f 

Ciirfii ' " 



■IMIILMI IM.I.S. 

Ai.'i.M'. wilh naliire, when' |ii-r pa: -Jon- 

ale iiiooil 
hccpcii'^ ami iJeepejiM, till from ' hailowy 

wood. 
Ami Mimhri- -hore Ihe hjrmji'il voiccH 

soiiml 
Of five infiniale forrcnl.H, wanly crovvnc-d 
Wifli .such pale-iiii.HlciJ foam aH l.liaf 

which Mlai'lH 
To whilcnin^ lips fi'oin lien/.iei| hiiinan 

liciirlH! 



'254 L.\T/:i: rohMs. 



Ki'l\>> rcpoais ilu> tliuinlcioiis roll aiul Wlii-n iK>\\n\\;vnl hurlod, fwju 'wildtT- 

hoom inii' shook to sliofk. 

0< ihcM- \o\fil w.iUMs throuuh iho t'oli- lis wiM lu-arl bivaks uihmi ih«" t>iitiiiost 

auml uloom rock 

iSo wil.llv, ill tlicii' liiaiiil rovorlx-raiil 'riial guanls ilu> iMin'hv o( (his rule of 

sw.-ll wialli! 

IJoriu" trom dim liillsiilo to rock-bouiuU'd lloiu'clorlh, Ih'voiu! tlio sliallt>n'il I'ata- 

iloll, rai-l's path. 

That oil tin- luinull sooms Tho h'lnport'd spirit ol' a m'uilcr liuidi" 

The vasl I'antastii- ilissoiiaiu'oof droams; Kutors, iiuthinks llu- iiupcriuilu'd 

A roar of advorso olomonts. torn and tide: 

riven Us i-nrront sparkliiii; in the hlcst iv- 

lii (lark locossos of some billowy boll, loaso 

Ihii sondiui; evor tliroiitib Ibo ir(>iiiuK>ns I'roni wasting;' pavssion, i;liiU"s ibronuh 

air. shoivs of jvaiv, — 

l)oliaiu'«> ladon with aui;iist dospair t>'or brisiiittMiod spaivs ami I'lcar ron- 

V\) lo the calm and pitiful faoo of thioiu cahus, 

boavoiil Float iho lialc hroatbiiiiis of n<\»r mead- 
ow bahns. 

From K'iluv to lodji'O tbo inqunnons cnr- And still by siloiil oi>vo and silvoiy 

ront s\voo\>s ivach. 

ForoviM- tort mod. taim-loss. imsnbdiuHl, Tbo mnnnnrons wavolots pass; 

Amid till" darkly humid sidilndo. l.ip iho givon tondrils of llu> dolicalo 

Thronjili waste and tiirbuUMil doops grass. 

It olo.'tvos a lorriblc pathway, iuor- And tranqnil bonr by bonr. 

run Fplifl a I'vyslal silass, 

(^idy by doiibn'ul llickcrinus of Iho Wlunvin oarb litbo Narcissns-tlowor, 

sun. May mark its slondcr framo and Ivaii- 

To iiuH'i with swifi fioss-otklios. whirl- toons faco 

pools sot ' MitTorod in softly visionary paoo, 

C^n vorsi<>s of sonio nioasuroloss abyss. .Vnd still, by fairy-bight and sholvinsi' 

Abmo tho stir and froi. boaoli. 

Tho liiui's hollow roar, or sorpont Tho fair wavos whispor low as loavos in 

hiss .liino 

0( whoso mu'oaslim oonllioi wagod bo- (Small gossips lispinu: in tboir woodland 

low bow or). 

Tho goii^os of Iho giant prooipioo. And still, tho ovor-lossoning lido 

8binos tho mild s\>lotiilor of a hoavonly Lai^sos. as glidos somo onoo imporions 

bow. lifo 

From liangbty sunnnits of donioniao 

lint blindod t»> tho rainbow's glory prido. 

shod llatrod and voiigoful strifo. 

Fair as tho auroolo 'round an angol's Pinvn through timo's twilight-valloys 

boad pmitiod; 

Still with dark vapors all abont it fnrloil Yoaniing, alono. to koop 

Thodomon spirit of this watory world. A long-prodostinod tryst with night and 

Thnuigh many a uuulilonod onrvo. and sloop. 

siormy tluvo. r>onoath Iho dow-soft kissos of tho 

Spoods to its last lunuiltuous ovortlow. moin\I 



DlVlDKh. — TIIE MEADOW BROOK. 



255 



Am not ;i l)iii| iliat l)iir;,'coiis 'mill Un' 
howci's; 
As not a Iraf on any tree tlial, i^rous, 
\\n\ to its ni-i'^lihor some nnlikcncss 
.shows, 
Ma(l(! cleariT still lliroii;,'li all the hlos- 
sominii liours. 

'I'liiis lialh ii clianccil tliat, since llic 

woilil l»i-'4an, 
No soul lialli lo(ni(i its fellow; fates 

may Mend 
III I he elose lies of lover, hnshjind, 

friend, 



S(!V(!n;(|, sees nolJiis hiolliei's innermost 
life; 
The lovei- his sweet mistress knows 

in part. 
Ami eaeh to other hair reveals, | ]n 
heart, 
I'afiS deathward, the trn<' iinshand and 
true wile. 

Shall heaven make all thim,'s jdain '> 

N'iiy, who can I ell ".' 
<^)nly, sick licurl! like the sorc- 

wonnded dove; 
Si'ekini,' her distant nest, hald /(ihI. Io 

Inn- 



Vet thron-ih .some snhlle differenee, m;in ! Till death's deep enrfi'w tolls its vesper 
fi'om ni.'ui I |„.|| 




Over 1<;iIk<: ami wloiic." 



'////; ME.iixnv r.itooK. 



(illtfJM:, ^Mir-le. f^'MI-le, 

Ovei' led^e and slone; 
How I'm Koin;,'. How im.', 

VVeslwanl, all alone;; 
All uloiic, hnt liapjiy, 

Hajtpy and hale am I. 
(Jlaspr-d by lh(! emerald iniad(.ws. 

FInslKMl by the golden sky! 

.\o kindred brordc is eallinj,', 
'J'o woo these tides in k1<"S 

I hear no neijjhhorinj,' voices 
Of inl.ind rill, or .sc^a; 



lint the sed.j;es thrill above nuf, 
.\nd when; 1 blilhely pass, 

('oy wiiuls, like nymphs in ambnsli, 
.Seem whi.speriug throiiL;li the gra.s.s. 

Tinkle, tiid<le. tinkle; 

Hark! the tiny swell 
Of wavelets softly, silverly 

Toned like; a fairy hell. 
Whose r;very note, drop])ed sweetly 

In mellowed ulamonr round. 
Keho hath eauf^ht and harvest(;d 

In airy sheaves of .sound! 



250 



LAll'Ji rOKMi^. 



THE VALLEY OF .t\(>sr.t\. 

[In .Kliaii's •• Narious lltsiorx," book iii., 
oliai)tt«r xviii.. tlu- lollow inn U-gciul, or imnililo, 
will lio I'oiiiut. How vividly it iih-mIIs tons tlio 
words of tho -Mnstor: " Uiiloss yo he ooiivcitcil, 
nml I'tvome an lUttf rhiltlrcii, yo I'luuiol eutor 
into llio kingttom of hoavtMi!"] 

An Oru'iit lom'inl. whu-li liatli all llu' 

li-lit 
Aiul l'i-ai;ranc(' df llu> aspluulcis o( 

lu'a\ I'll, 
SiuiU's on us from i>hl .i;iiau"s iiu'llowcd 

pa-v; 
And iliiis ii i-iius, smoolh as tlu'sircaiu 

v.f Joy 
W'lu'i'i'ol' il tells, yt't with some disronl 

t.K'iit. 
W'hit'li, lu'arkciuHl rii;hlly, makes llu- 

musio iiiti' 
To man's ni> sU'iioiis in.slincts ;,nil his 

lato: 

In the stian_i;v valloy of Anostan dwelt 
The far -Mefopes, throtii;h whose miii- 

nniions I'twlm 
Two nuuliiy fix its — one a stream of 

Divine ami peifeel ; i>ne a stieam oi 

bale — 
Flowed sitle by side, 'twixt foivst shadi's 

ami llowei's 
(Uright shades and sombte, i>oist)n 

tU)w efs and {mreK 
Down to a distant and an nnknown sea. 

On eillu'f bank were ftiiit-tiees and lipe 

fniil, 
Whei'eof men plneked and ale; but 

whoso ate 
(.)f tlie wan fruitajiv of the stit>am of 

bale 
Went ever after weei>ini;' ^all for tears. 
Till death should tind him; but whoe'er 

]Kirtook 
Oi the rare fruitage of the stream of 

Straii^htway was lapped in sneli eestatie 

peaee, 
Sneh fond oblivion of all base desires. 



His soul iirew fresh, dew-like, and sweet 

a>;ain. 
Ami thronglt his past, his golden yester- 
days. 
He wanderi'd baek and bark, till youth, 

regained, 
ShoiU' in the candid radianee of his eyes. 
That still waxed lari;er, holier, ervstal- 

elear. 
With resurrection of life's tcnderesl 

daw u 
Of childlike failh; by whii'h illumed and 

warmed. 
lie walks, himself a dream within a 

dream, 
Vearnin;; for infancy. This foimd at 

last, 
tiently he passes upward nuto Ood, 
Not throuiih death's poii.d, wrapped in 

storms and w rath, 
r>ut the fair archway of the gates of 

birth: 



TiyO :SO.\(iS. 
I'lUST SON(i. 

Li;r nie die by the seal 
When his billows are luiuiihty anil high, 

And the storm-wind's abroad, — 
When his dark passion grasps at the sky 

With the power of a god, — 
When all his tierce forces are free — 

Let me die by the sea. 

Let me die by the seal 
To his rhythms of tempest and rain, 

I woulil pass from the earth. 
Through ileath that is travail ami pain. 

!rhrougli death that is birth; 
'Mid the thunders of waves and o( lea. 

Let me die by the si'a. 

Let me die by the st>al 
AVlieu the great deeps are sundered ami 
stirred. 

.\nd the night eonieth fast. 
Let my spirit mount up like a bird, 

C^u the wings of the blast. 



SONNETS. 



257 



O'er till' tuinults of wave; and of lea, 


The spear-like grass, tin; silvery rim of 


O'tT tlii-ir ravage and roar, 


morn. 


Slio would soar, she would soar, 


A cloud rose-edged, and fleeting stars at 


Whori", pcat'c wails her at last: 


night! ' 


Oil I Fall', let in(! die by the sea. 






II. 




LAOCOON. 


SECOND SO.NO. 


A <iXAi;r,i;i» and massive oak log, shape- 


Ah, no! All, no! I would not go 


less, old. 


While earth and heaven are hlaek: — 


Hewed down of lat(! from yonder hill- 


When all is wildly drear and dark. 


side gray. 


(Juard, .i,niard, O God! this vital 


(Grotesquely curved, across our hearth- 


sjiark! 


stone lay; 




About it, serpent-wise, the red flames 


But I M'oidd ^o when winds are low. 


rolle.l 


And distant, dreamy rills 


In writhing convolutions; fold on fold 


Are heard to lapse with liui^'erin^ flow. 


They crept and clung with slow portent- 


IJetween the twili<,dit hills: 


ous sway 


With citrlli, and wave, and heaven at 


Of deadly coils; or in malignant play. 


peace. 


Keen tongues outflashed, 'twixt vapor- 


77/'// let these outworn pulses cease. 


ous gloom and gold. 




Lo! as I gazed, from ont that flaming 




gy<' 




There loomed a wild, W(,'ird iniage, all 


soxx/rrs. 


astral n 


ON VAItlOLS TIIK.MES. 


With strangled limhs, hot l)row, and 




eyeballs dire, 


I. 


I'.ig with the anguish of tlie bursting 


FRESriNRSS OF POETIC PERCEPTION. 


brain: 


Day followed day; years pei-lsh; still 


Laocoon's foi-in, Laocoon's fateful ])aiii. 


mine eyes 


A frescoed dream on flickering walls of 


Art! op(!ned on the self-same round of 


fire! 


space; 




Yon fadeless forests in their Titan grace, 


HI. 


And the large splendors of tliosi; opulent 


AT LAST. 


skies. 


I.\ youth, when blood was warm and 


I watch, unwearied, the miraculous dyes 


fancy high. 


Of dawn or sunset; the soft houghs 


1 mocked at death. How many aijuaiiit 


whi(;h lace 


conceit 


Hound som(! coy dryad ui a lonely place. 


I wove about his veiled head and feet. 


'I'hrilled with low whispering and strange 


Vannting aloud. \V/iy need ive dread 


sylvan sighs: 


to die ? 


Weary ? the i)oet's mind is fresh as dew, 


But now, enthralled by deep solemnity. 


Anil oft re-filled as fountains of the 


Death's pale phantasmal shade I darkly 


light. 


greet: 


His clear child's soul finds something 


Ghostlike it haunts the heartli, it haiuits 


sweet and nmv 


the street. 


Even in a weed's heart, the carved 


Or drearier makes drear midaight'ii 


leaves of corn. 


mystery. 



258 



LATER POEMS. 



Ah. sual-perplcxiiii; vision! oft 1 di'i'iii 


(Onoo a fair garden, now a dosert- 


'I'liat ;iuli<iiu" luylh is triu- wlTu'li \w- 


plaee) 


luicil (loath 


Ah! what \oluptnons hues are thoso 


A iiuiskt'il and hiiK'oiis I'oiin all shrank 


that rise 


to set-; 


In sudden lustre, on my startled eyes ? 


IJut at the last slow chh ot' mortal 


'I'h.oy glow like roses on an orient faoo. 


breath. 


CJlimpsoil in swift Hashes of enoliant- 


iK-ath, his mask mrlting like a night- 


ing grace, 


niaro divani. 


'Twixt tho shy harem's gold-wrought 


iSiuikHl, — hcavi'irs high-prii^st. of Im- 


tapestries! 


mortality! 


Ye bright dapouicas! your glorious 




gleam 


IV. 


Tints with strange light tho onamonnl 


A I'llAM'OM IX THE CLOUDS. 


waves of air. 


All day tlio blast, with furious ramp 


Anil wafts of such coy fragrance r(>nnd 


and roar. 


you tloat 


Swoops tho i;aunt hill-tops, piK>s tho 


Fancy Irausceuds those boundaries 


vapors liiiih. 


blanch(>d and bare. 


Thro' Inlinito distanoo, up tho tortuvotl 


l'\)r beauty hu\'s her in a ra\ ishing 


sky — 


dream 


Till to ono unrturod on tho oi'oau- 


CH' roseate lips, dark locks, and swan- 


shoro. 


whilt' throat I 


It soouis — with oyos half-shut to hill 




and moor — 


\i. 


Tho augnislu'd sea wavos' multitudinous 


ruio 1 SI i;im:i;. 


ory — 


Fou weeks the languid southern wind 


It ehangos! doopouiug- . . Christ! what 


had blown. 


agony 


Fraught with Floridiau balm: thro' 


Doth somo tlooniod spirit on thoso 


w inlt>r skies 


wild winds outpour! 


We soouuhI to catch the suule of April's 


At last a hill! stinvd by slow wafis of 


eyes; 


air! 


A ([uocuty waif, from her far temperate 


Whou lo! o'or dismal wastes i>f stormy 


ZOIU' 


wrook. 


Wayfaring — half bewildered and alone. 


('loud-wn>ught. an awful form and faoo 


Yet, by tho delicate fervor of her firace. 


abhorred! 


And the arch beauty of her cliangcfid 


Thine, thine, Isoariotl smitten by mad 


face. 


dos]>air. 


flaking an alien empire all her own. 


With lurid eyeballs straiiu>d, and writh- 


So ilay by day that sweet usurper's reign 


ing nook. 


tiUuldeued tho world. thu' eve tho 


Kouutl whieh is coiled a blood-rod 


south wind sighed 


phantom oord! 


Her soft soul ()ut ; the north wind ra\od 




instead; 


V. 


All night he raved; when moriung 


JAPONUAS. 


dawned again. 


Beneath the sullen slope of shadowy 


Winter, rothrouoil. looked tlow n with 


skies. 


scornfid pride 


Aliilmost this tlowerless, wind-bowil- 


Where April, dying, bowed her golden 


dorod space 


head : 



BONNETS. 



259 



VII. 

I>i:< K.MlSKi: SO.VNKT. 

lIoi'Xi) tilt! D(;i-uiiil)fi li('ii:;lits tlic clouds 

are gray — 
(iray, and wind-driven toward llii- 

stormy west, 
Tliey lly, likt; jdianlonis of malign iin- 

I-fSl, 

To fade in sonil)i(! distance's away. 

A lliclvciint,' i)rif^liln('ss o'er the wreck 

of day, 
Twilii;lit, like some sad lyaidcn, tciicf- 

opprcsscil, 
IJroods wanly on tiie farthest moimlain 

crest ; 
All nature hreatlies of darkiK^ss and 

decay 
Now from low meadow land and di'owsy 

stream. 
From deep recesses of the silent vale, 
Xij,dil-wanderini,' vapors rise formless 

and clnll. 
When, lol o'er shrouded wood and 

shadowy hill, 
I mark the eve's victorious ])lan(!t 

heam. 
Fair as an ani!;el clad in silver mail ! 

viir. 

A ro.MI'AKISOX. 

1 THINK, ofttimes, that lives of men may 

he 
Likened to wandering winds that conK; 

and f^o, 
Not knowiiii; whence they rise, whitln^r 

they hlow 
O'er tin; vast glohe, voicefid of grief or 

glee. 
Some lives are buoyant zephyrs sjKjrting 

free 
In tropic sunshine; some long winds 

of WO(! 

That shun the ilay, wailing witli nun-- 

iiMU's low. 
Through haunted twilights, hy th(! un- 

n;sti ng sea ; 
Others are ruthless, stormful, drunk 

with might. 



Born of d(;ep passion or malign desire: 
'I'liey rave 'mid I In imler- peals and clouds 

of lire. 
Wild, reckless all, save that some power 

unkiKJwn 
(Juides each blind force till life be 

overbhiwn. 
Lost ill vague hollows of the fathomless 

night. 

rx. 

KATi:, OK (,(>!) '.' 

Hi'.voM) the iccord of all eldest things, 
IJeyond the iide and legions of ])ast 

time, 
Fro7n out Antiquity's lK)Mry-lieadcd 

lime. 
Looms I he (li-e;id |ihanloii! of a King of 

kings : 
Itound His vast brows the glittering 

(;ircl(!t clings 
Of a thrice royal crown: brtiind Ilim 

clind), 
f)'er Atlantean limbs and breast sublime 
'i'he sombn; sjjlendors of mystei-ious 

wings; 
Deep calms of measureless power, in 

awful state, 
Oird and upliold Ilim; a miraculous rod. 
To be;il or smite, arms His infallible 

hands: 
Known in all ages, v\ors]iii)ped in all 

lands. 
Doubt names this Ijalf-endKjdied mys- 
tery— Fate, 
AV^hile Faith, with lowliest reverence, 

whispers — (Jod ! 

X. 

SONXET. 
AVrittcn on a Hy-leaf of "The Rubaiyat" 
(if Omar I\li;iyy!iin, tlie astroiioiiier-poet 
ol I'ersia. 

A\'ii<) deems the sold to endless d<'ath is 
thrall. 

That no life Itreathcss beyond that mo- 
ment dire, 

When every sense aeems lost as out- 
blown fii-(;; — 



260 



LATEH POEMS. 



Must walk, i'K>tluHl roiiuil wiih ilarkuoss 

likt' !i i>!ill, 
Ov on false ijuils of sonsiuvl mptuiv i-all; 
Plttck thf riv/t ru^c-Uacts! l{f't tlie wine 

vitp Idtjlur! 
Wtd dtlicittf lu^thut to itmllijit Ihsivf, 
(Likf xo)He llrttk ijirl ctanptd (•;/ a (ntr- 

(>an>t(s liiiul!) 
Thus Omar pivai-lunl, thus i>r;u'tisi>d, 

renturios siuiv ; 
\\ iui\ l>«\uUy, iilK>sso, orgios crowiunl 

bv hisi; 
All these lu'i'hautod in voluptuous song; 
Vt't who >hall vow. tloop ThinktM'! 

poet rrini'il 
Thy rhythmuMTOoil tho uuuatural vouv 

of wrong, 
// man, dust-tnirn, a/niU .^ttill rtttirn to 

dtust / 

XI. 
KAHTU OOOKS — VllMM! IJAIX. 

LlFK-YlKl.lMMi fnigiaueo i>f our uiothor 
earth I 

ISeuiguaut l>roatl> exhaled from suuuuer 
showers! — 

All Nature dimples intosu\iK"s of flowers, 

From unelosed WHHHllaml, lo trim gar- 
den girth; — 

Theso perfumes softening the harsh 
soul of dearth. 

Are older than old Shinar's arrogant tow- 
ers,^ 

Ami tonehevl vvith visii)us of rain-fresh- 
eut^l luuus, 

l>u Syrian hill-slopes 'ere the patriaivh's 
birth! 

Nay ! the eharmed fauey plays a subtler 
part ! — 

l.o! banished Adauj, his large, wonder- 
ing eyes 

Fixed on the tnnible of the tirst dark 
elouil ! 

l.o! treuudons Kve, — a v*'*^'^' behind, 
how bowed, — 

Not dreaming, 'midst her painful pants 
of heart. 

What balm shall fall from youder omi- 
nous eloud ! 



Ml. 

soNNirr. 
I i.A\ in dusky si>liiude reeliued. 
The shadow of sleep just hovering 

o'er mine eyes. 
When froui the elouillaud in the west- 
ern skies 
lu>se thestninge breathings of a trenui- 

lous w iuil. 
As soutid upborne o'er water, through 

some blind. 
Mysterious forest, so this wind ilid rise. 
Laden, niethought, with half-artieu- 

late siglis. 
Wafted like spirit-nu'inories c>'er the 

uuud. 
Then the night deeiH'ued; through my 

window -bars 
1 saw the gray elouds billowing fast and 

free," 
SuAit by the splendor of the solemn 

stai-s. 
Then the night ileepened; wind and 

eloud beeanu' 
.V blended tunudt, erossed by spears of 

tlanie, 
While the great pines moaned like a 

moaning sea. 

xui. 

POVEKTY. 

OxiK 1 beheld thee, a lithe mountain 

maid, 
Embivwned by wholesome toils in lusty 

air; 
Whose elear blood, nurtured by strong. 

priuutive eheer. 
Thn>ugh Amazonian veins, tlowed una- 

fraiil. 
Broad-breasted, pearly-teethed, thy pure 

breath strayevl, 
Sweet as deei>-uddered kine's eurled in 

the rare 
Bright spaces of thy lofty atmospbeiv. 
O'er sonie rude eottago in a tir-growu 

glade. 
Now. of eaeh brave ideal virtue stripped. 
O Tovertvl I behold tbtv as thou art. 



suxx/'jys. 



201 



A ruthhiss liag, tho linage of woeful 

(Icarlli 
Or l)nil(! (Irisjiair, giiafliiig its own 

.slar\f(l heart. 
'I'liou ravi'iiiiig urclclil fici'ccj-oycd and 

nioiistcr-lipiH.'d, 
Why .scourg*! forevci'inore (Jod's hi;aiit,(!- 

teous earth ? 

XIV. 
WASTK. 

How many a htidding plant is born to 

lade ! 
How many a .May bhjoiii will wilii (juick 

ticcay ! 
on times the rnddiest rose holds briefest 

sway, 
Willie h(!art and sense an: evermore b(!- 

I rayed 
Alike in nature's siiine anil nature's 

sliaii(!. 
Vainly earth-tendered seeds have sought 

tint day, 
And eountless threads of rivulets wind 

astray. 
For one that joins the vast main luiem- 

bayed. 
O prodigal natui'c, why this spendlluift 

wast(! 
Of light, stn^nglh, beauty given to earth 

or man ? 
Thy riehest realm may lie; in trackless 

seas. 
Thy tenderest loves, perehanee, die un- 

<!inbraeed ; 
While faith and reason watch Iliy 'wil- 

dering plan, 
The baflled soul's eloud-eouii)assed Ily- 

ades! 



A M()i:ni.\(; attkij s'ioi£M. 

All night the north wiinl Idew; the 
harsh north rain 

Lashed like a spiteful whij) at roof and 
sill. 

Now the pale morning lowers, bewil- 
dered, ciiijl, 



Leaning h(!r cheek against the misted 

pane, 
Jjike some worn outcast, sick in heart 

and brain. 
The wind tiiat raved all night, though 

nnUtering .still. 
Moans (il fully, with faint, irresolute 

will, 
Tiirougli dii-ary interludes, its low rc- 

fiain. 
In desolate mood I turn to rest once 

more, 
Closing my senses to this hopeless 

morn. 
This dismal wind. Still must the 

morning gloom, 
Still the low sighing pass sleep's mullled 

docjr. 
Till her veiled life is filled with dreams 

forlorn. 
With hollow sounds and Ijodefid sliapes 

of doom. 

XVI. 
I>EAI) I.OVf.S. 

Wiiione'ki: I think of old lov(!s wan and 

dead. 
Of passion's wine outpountd in senseless 

dust, 
C)f doomed affedion's and long-buried 

trust, 
Through all my soul an arctic gloom is 

shed; 
And all! I walk the worbl tlisquieted. 
Thou, my own love;! white lily of April! 

nnist 
Thy beauty, perfume, radiance, all lu; 

thrust 
iOarthward, lo cnuid)le in a grass-grown 

bed ? 
Yea, sweet, 'tis even .so! llow long, how 

long 
The dust of her who onc(! was tender 

llulh, 
Hath mouldi-red dumbly! And how oft 

the clod. 
Which binds, lik(! hers, all perished love 

and truth, 



2G:i 



LATER POEMS. 



St lives with pule weeds to veil dcatlfs 

lu>lu'lt'ss wrouij, 
Or tlnimi;h i-liill lips of tlowcrs appruls 

to i;oil! 

\\ II. 

NAl'l i;i; .VI' KASF.. 

I i'i:i<;i I lie kisses of this UiigiM'iiij; 

lir<'e/.t', 
\\ ,11111, close, ami anient as the Ups of 

lose, 
I (pialf the sunshine streainlni; from 

uliove. 
Like mellow wine of auti(iue vintages; 
Ntiw, serene nature, al hixurious ease, 
lUr deep toils perfeeted, and viehly 

rife 
Willi suhtlest meanings — all her opu- 
lent life 
Keveals in tremnlons brakes and wliis- 

pi'ring seas. 
If, Iheii, tlie fi-vereni soul (K>th lean 

aright. 
Close lo those voices of \\iH>d, wind, and 

wave. 
What WiMidrous secrets bless the spir- 

iliial ear, 
llorii, as it were, id" music winged with 

light. 
Sweeter than llu>se strange songs which 

Orphens gave 
'To earth and heaven, while both grew 
dumb to hear! 

XVlll. 
niR CNYDIAN OUAt'l.E. 

'■ Whut tlnUKjh the Uthmus lackx an 

ovvitn-(jnte, 
Ihlcc not the itoil ! If Joce Itinl nulled 

it .s'O, 

His u'((telifnt power had opened to)ig («j/a 
'I'he ehtinnelled pathwai/x of a t>illowt/ 

strait.'' 
Thns spake the (^nydian Oracle but too 

late; 
For men are blinder than blind winds 

that Idow 
Kound midnight waves, yet idly dream 

thev kni>w 



Some llenues' trick ti) steal the goods of 

fate. 
Fools! trench your Isthmus, di'lx ing fast 

anil deep; 
And as ye toil uplift your boastful 

breath 
()\-r swift inrushiugs of tlie turbuleul 

sea — 
'Too swift, by lieaNfuI for, lo! its 

tn'ai'hcrons sweep 
O'erwhehns the graded ilykes, theoppo.s- 

ing lea. 
While ye that mocked at fate, fate 

whirls lo death! 

xix. 
rilK HYACINTH. 

1Ii:i;k in this wrecked storm-wasted gar- 
den-close 

The grave of inlinite generations lied 

(U' (lowers that now l.iy lustreless ami 
dead. 

As the gray dust of Kden's earliest rose. 

What bli)on\ is this, whose I'lassieal 
beauty glows 

Radiantly chaste, with the miUl splen- 
dor shed 

Kound a (Jreek virgin's poised and per- 
fect head. 

l>y I'hidias wrought 'twixt rapture and 
repose ? 

Mark the sweet lines whose matchless 
ov als curl 

Above the fragile stem's lialf shrink- 
ing grai-e. 

And say if this pure hyacinth doth not 
seem 

crouched by enehaniments of an an- 
liiiue dream ) 

A tlower no more, but the low ilroop- 
ing face 

Of some love-laden, fair Athenian girl? 

XX. 
■\nV. WOOI> lAU l.Nl AM>. 

1 i'l.osK mine eyes in this lone inland 

place. 
This wood, far inland, thn>uged with 

sombrous trees — 



<<i 







"Now. Ker(!lie iiiUun', at luxiirimis case, 

. . . all licr <)|nili'iil life 
Reveals in Ireiii'.i'.ous brakes and \\ liisiierinu seas." 



SONNL'TS. 



208 



Our soiuliland pines — in whose dark 
Ijoughs the breeze 

Mourns Hke a spirit shorn of joy and 
grace ; 

The same wild genius whose half- 
veiled face 

Dawns on the barren brink of wave- 
washed leas, 

Fraught with the ancient mystery of the 
seas, ■ 

Whose hoary brow I)ears many a 
storm-bolt's trace; 

I close mine eyes; but lol a spiritual 
light 

Steals round me: I behold through foam 
and mist 

A dreary reach of wan, slow-shifting 
sand, 

By transient glints of flickering star- 
beams kissed. 

And hear upborne athwart the desolate 
strand 

Voices of ghostly billows of the night. 

XXI. 

[Composed just after midnight on llie ;?l.st of 
JX-cember, IsTS.] 

A MOMKXT since his breath dissolved in 
air! 

And now divorci-d from life's last hectic 
glow, 

He joins the old ghostly years of long 
ago. 

In some cloud-folded realm of vague de- 
spair; 

Ah me! the unsceptred years that wan- 
der there I 

With cold, wan hands, and faces white 
as snow. 

And echoes of dead voices quavering low 

The phantom-burden of long-perished 
care! 

Perchance all unsubstantialized and 
gray. 

Time's earliest year now greets his last, 
deceased ; 

Or he that dumbly gazed on .\dam's 
fall. 

Palely emerging from the sluulowy east. 



AVith flickering semblance of cold crown 

and pall, 
Clothes the dim ghost of him just passed 

away I 

XXII. 
MAGNOLIA OAKDENS. 

Yes, found at last, — the earthly para- 
dise! 

Here by slow currents of the silvery 
stream 

It smiles, a shining wonder, a fair dream, 

A matchless miracle to mortal eyes: 

What whorls of dazzling color flash and 
rise 

From rich azalean flowers, whose pet- 
als teem 

With such harmonious tints as bright- 
ly gleam 

In sunset rainbows arched o'er i^erfect 
skies! 

But see! beyond those blended blooms 
of fire, 

Vast tier on tier the lordly foliage tower 

Which crowns the centuried oaks' broad 
crested calm: 

Thus on bold Ijeauty falls the shade of 
power ; 

Yet beauty still unquelled, fulfils desire. 

Unfolds her i)]ossoms, and outbreathes 
her balm ! 

XXIII. 
ENGLAND. 

Clol'd-gxkdei) land, brave land beyond 

the sea ! 
Land of my father's love! how oft I 

yearn 
Toward thy famed ancestral shores to 

turn. 
Roaming thy glorious realm in liberty; 
All English growths would sacred seem 

to nie. 
From opulent oak to flickering wayside 

fern ; 
Much from Jier delicate daisies could I 

Icani. 
And all her home-bred flowers by lake 

or lea. 



2G-4 



LATER POEMS. 



l!ul iiiosl 1 ilr'.'aiii ol' Shropshire's iiu'iul- 

i>\\ L^rass, 
Us ^ra/.iiij;' licrds, and sweet lia\ -seented 

air; 
All aueieiil iiall near a slow rivulet's 

month ; 
A ehnreh \ine-ela(l; a ,i;rave_vard LilooHi- 

ini;- south ; 
'IMiese are tlie seeiies tlironi;h whieli [ 

lain wiiiild pass; 
'I'liere lived my sires, w hose saered dust 

is there. 

lUS AIM'(UN rMKXT. 

An! iihanlom pale, why li:ist 'hou eoiue 

w illi pace 
Tliiis slow, and sneh sad depi'eeatin^' 

eyes '.' 
What! dost IliDU dream ///// presenee 

could surprise 
One the born vassal i>r thy reahn and 

race '.' 
I looked in boylunnl on thy elonded i'aee; 
In youth dissevered Irom all cordial 

ties. 
Heard the deep echoes of thy inniiiinred 

si-hs 
In manv a shadowv, iirief-enshidudtnl 

place; 
'I'heret'oie, () sombre (icnius. be not 

coy! 
\Vlicn have we dwelt so alien and apart 
1 conld not faintly feel thy mutUcd 

heart '.* 
Till even shoidd hope's fruition softly 

shine, 
1 well iniuht deem beni'ath the mask 

of joy 
Linked that sad lirow, thos(> twilight 

eyes ot thine! 

\xv. 

Till'. LAST OF TllK HOSKS. 

A iJoYAi.rose! A ri>so lu>w darkly red ! 
A proud, voluptuous, full blown tlower. 

tiiat sways 
Her sceptre o'er the wind-swept i^ar- 

den-wavs. 



With niaiitl inn' cheek and bold, iniperions 

head! 
Alwne she lifts alH>\(' yon desolate bed 
A beauty past all terms of raptincd 

praise. 
The statelier that she rules in autninn 

days. 
When every rival llov\er is dimnu'd or 

dead! 
A hani;lity Cleopatra! there she smiles, 
Unwittiiii;- that her sovereimi love is 

Her Antony! a i^oru'eons snntlower 

bloom! 
All! vain henceforlh her beauty and 

sweet wiles! 
CJueen!arl thou blind •.' Thy lord hath 

met his doom ; 
His Actium came with winter's van- 

liiiard — Frost ! 

XXVl. 
■nil'. .VXK AM> riNK. 

A I.I, day, on bole and liml> the axes riiiii'. 
And I'very stroke upon my startled 

brain 
Falls with the power of sympathetic 

pain; 
1 shrink to view I'ach i;lorious forest- 

kiuii' 
Descend to earth, a wan. discrowned 

thin--. 
.\h, Hcavi'U ! iieside these foliaued i;iants 

slain, 
How small the hnman dwarfs, whose 

lust for uain 
Hathedned their brutal sti'cl tosmitt-and 

stinu! 
Hark! to those loim-drawn mnrmurin^s. 

stranu'c anil dri'ar! 
The wail of Hryads in tluMr last distress; 
O'er ruined haunts and ravished loveli- 
ness 
Still tower those brawny arms; tones 

coarsely loud 
Rise still lieyond the ur.H'uery's waninu' 

cloud. 
While falls the insatiate steel, sharp, 

colli iiud sheer! 



SONNETS. 



205 



XXVII. 

liKiiioi iiAi, M(;nT. 
'l'iii:ou<iii K'>1"1''" liiii;;iiois of low gliin- 

iiicriiii,' li^lil, 
\h'M\) ey<'.s, o'crbriiiiiin-d vvilli ijas.sion's 

sacred wliic, 
I Icart-i)citiiiiM!(i tears — yeaiiiin^ towards 

Die, shine 
Lik(! stars made lovelii^r Ity I'aint mists 

at niglit; 

I lei' (•]ie(d{S, SW(!Ct jjlies cliaii^c! to Foses 

l)ri-lit, 
I Mow 11 ill love.'s n;aliii, fed by ids iireath 

diviiu;; 
And even lliosc; viif^iiial tremors seem 

tlie sif^n 
Of i)erfect joy tliroiii;li love's uiiclial- 

lenj^ed ri<f|it: 
() happy breast, tliat lieavest soft and 

fair 
Tliroui^di silvery clouds of luminous silk 

and lace! 
O, f^raeious hanjls, O flower-en woven 

l)(!ad, 
<J'er which liopc's diarm its delicate 

warmtli has shed ! 
Wliili- smiles and blushes wntatlie her 

dimi)lini^ face, 
.Set in the splendor of dark Orient hair! 

XXVIII. 

"the old max of tiik sea." 
GiUEVors, In .sooth, was luckless Sind- 

bad's i)lif(ht, 
Saddled with that foul monster of the 

sea ; 
But who of some soul-harrowing weight 

is free ? 
And thougli W(! veil our woe from public 

sight, 
Full many a weary day and dismal 

night, 
It chafes our spirits sorely! Yet, for 

tliee, 
Whate'er, O friend, thy special grief 

may be, 
Kange thou against it all thy manhood's 

mi-ht. 



Thus, though thou may'st not smite on 

Ijrow or breast 
That irksome incubus, be sure some 

day 
The load that blights shall droop and fall 

away. 
And thou, ttecause of torture borne so 

well, 

Shall pass from out thy long, malign 

unrest 
And walk thy future paths invincible! 

XXIX. 
TWO I'K'TL'UES. 

She stood Ijeneath the vine-leaves flushed 

and fail" 
Tlie diiiipliiig smil(;s ai'oiind hi'i- tender 

mouth. 
Seemed born of mellow sunshine of 

the South ; 
A light bre(!ze, trembled in her unbound 

hair; 
No young Oreek goddess, in the violet 

air 
Of vales immortal, shone with purer 

grace ; 
A delicate glory touched her form and 

face. 
Whence the sweet soul looked on us, 

nobly bare, — 
As Heaven itself, unclouded : — thus she 

.stood, 
But when I saw her n(!Xt (Ofioil!the 

woe!) 
Love, mirth, and life had fled forever 

more ; 
Prostrate she lay, about her a dark wood, 
And many a helpless mourner, wailing 

low ; 
The cruel waves which drowned her 

lapped the shore. 

XXX. 

THE MKHIT H.WE IJEEX. 

Onxe in the twilight hour there stole on 

me 
A strange, sweet spirit! in her tender 

eyes 



266 



LATER POEMS. 



Shone a far beauty, like the morning 

slvies, 
And tranquil was she as a summer sea; 
An air of large, divine benignity- 
Breathed, like a living garb of spiritual 

dyes 
About her — with the gentle fall and 

rise 
Of her heart pulses tuned to mystery — 
But, as I gazetl, a sadness deep as death 
Crept o'er the beauty of her brow serene 
And a fuint tremor stirretl her shadowy 

lips; 
"Thou kuow'st me not, "she sighed, 

with mournful breath: 
"How oau'st thou kno.v me? Lo, 

through Fate's eclipse, 
Thou seest, too late, too late, thy Might 

Have Been! " 

XXXI. 
NIGHT-WINDS IN -WINTEI!. 

Winds! ore they winds? — or myriad 
ghosts, that shriek? 

Ghosts of poor mariners, drowned in 
Northern seas. 

Beside the surf-tormented Hebrides, 

Whose voices now of tide-born terror 
speak 

In tones to blanch the boldest listener's 
cheek ? 

Hark ! how t hey thunder down the far-off 
leas. 

Sweep the scourged hills, and smite the 
woodland trees. 

To die where towers yon glittering moun- 
tain-peak ! 

A moment's stillness! Then with lus- 
tier might 

Of wing and voice, these marvellous 
wraiths of air 

Fill with dread sound the ominous 
heights of night. 

Athwart their stormful breath the star- 
throngs fade : 

How dimmed is Cassiopteia's radiant 
chair. 

While Perseus droops, touched by trans- 
figuring shade ! 



XXXII. 
TO THE QUERULOUS POETS. 

Throw by the trappings of your tinsel 
rhyme ! 

Hush the crude voice, whose never- 
ending wail 

Blights the sweet song of thrush, or 
nightingale, — 

Set to the treble of oui- cjuerulous time; 

Is earth grown dim? Hath heaven 
her grace sublime. 

Her pomp of .clouds, and winds, and 
sunset showers 

Merged in the twilight of funereal hours. 

And Time's death-signal struck its iron 
chime ? 

O! false, frail dreamer! not one tiniest 
note 

From yonder green-girt copse, but whis- 
pers • ' shame ! " — 

Love, beauty, rapture, swell the war- 
bler's throat, — 

The self-same joy, the passion blithe 
and young. 

Thrilled by the force of whose innnacu- 
late lianie. 

The tirst glad stars, the stars of morn- 
ing, sung! 

XXXIII. 
IN THE PORCH. 

In this old porch, fast mouldering to de- 
cay. 

But wreathed in vines and girt by shad- 
owy trees. 

All day I hear the dreamful hum of 
bees. 

Soft-rustling foliage, and the fragrant 
sway 

Of breezes borne from some far ocean 
bay; 

And oft with half-closed eyelids, 
stretched at ease — 

The pines above me voiced like distant 
seas — 

I seem to mark a coy young Dryad stray 

Out from the tangled greenery over- 
head, 



y^UNNJiTti. 



267 



Her brow leaf-crowned, her eyes of twi- 
liglil tiro 

Deep with Arcadian mysteries softly 
shed ; 

And near her, wafted from the ambro- 
sial South, 

A white-lind)ed Nereid, round whose 
balmy mouth 

Breathe the wave's freshness and the 
wind's desire. 

XXXIV. 

THE I'lI.VXTOM — SONG. 

In museful hours, when thoughts of 

grace divine 
Roll wave-like up the stormless strand 

of tlreams ; — 
AVhen that which is grows vague as that 

which seems, — 
I mark, far-off, a radiant shade incline 
From heaven to earth, — whose face of 

marvellous shine, 
(Half veiled in mystic beauty), softly 

beams 
With delicate lustres, and elusive 

gleams, 
("aught from some viewless Eden — hy- 
aline: — 
Ethereal, as the wavering hues that start 
From chorded rainbows; — lingering 

scarce so long 
As the last sun-ray flashed in twilight's 

«yc, 
1 hail this phantom of a perfect song; — 
And 1, some day, shall pass the phantom 

by,- 

I'o feel the euthodied music next my 
heart ! 

XXXV. 
SMALI, OUIEFS AND GREAT. 

How oft by trivial griefs our spirits 
tossed 

Drift vague and restless round this 
changeful world ! 

Yet when great sorrows on our lives are 
hurled, 

And fate on us has wreaked his utter- 
most, 



O'er wounded breasts our steadfast arms 
are crossed ; 

We front the blast, silent, with un- 
bowed head 

And stoic mien ; for fear with hope is 
dead ; 

And calm the voice which whispers: 
"All is lost!" 

Thence to the end, our being, stripped 
and bare 

Of love, and peace, and gracious joys of 
of earth. 

Like some storm-shattered tree, its with- 
ered might 

May lift defiant, dauntless in its dearth, 

(Seeming Death's bolt, that final stroke, 
to dare, 

A dreary watcher on a blasted height I 

XXXVI. 
THE SU ALLOW HEART ! 

"Pity her," say'st thou, "pity her!" 
nay, not I ! 

Her heart is shallow as yon garrulous 
rill 

That froths o'er pebbles: grief, true 
grief is still, 

Deathfully solenni as eternity 

Thro' \\ hose dread realm its silent fan- 
cies fly 

Seeking the lost and loved; sorrows that 
kill 

Life's hope, are like those poisons which 
distil 

Their noiseless dews beneath the mid- 
night sky: — 

Their venom works in secret! gnaws the 
heart. 

And withers the worn spirit, albeit no 
sign 

Shows the sad inward havoc, till some 
day, 

(Pledging our calm friend o'er the pur- 
pling wine). 

Sudden, he falls amongst us, and we 
start 

At a low whisper, "He has passed 
away ! " 



ihJS 



I Ann roKMs. 



\\\vu, 

UvxUv vxf viUs» 

Wmv ^u^vx\»s vvxiv*t\^ !it»uU\^ wi\u^ x\^»'* U* 
1 »Hvk y\M«^ U>\ »»vx»^ U«^ts) yv^w" wJM *ltv 



1 \"«»XK »NArth*?k W<ixW<x*K ww>*» >\*ih«?<K^ 
\s^ $\M\u> vxJsl ^^M^^ *\>.wnii\ whvvjsf fcAxwV'i- 
TUt*' K>*vi ^*'<*>i Kh-^^js ;!Mr<> ?k<«fv<*whv« ^vrtiy 



ii\x»^ rtj^^hi ; 

\xK^uv \loivuH ? 
l^^x^lV \\xmi Us «\u\x>\ji^Hl wUh nvJu!4Hv)5^ 

Ky<>u uovv. « u»nv ^ux^^^\\>^Us^^u'^h«m«^v 

u<j»io oluxi»\ '-^ 
li«l t\\o\K wluxsx^ ?^U-«Ju!* U»\o lUU^l vx«r 

U^ j£vx\vUxu xU\\o»\s »5^vuU» 4»nU Uxxxtv^itts; 

xvf tUv; 

ll' iW^lh UVU UviU^ Kx \MV\>v \vh»« X»S«x 

'l\> «W iM^i^xf XN>4(\)>«MJ»$ vxf Uw^» ?tUi»xUxi[y^l 

xsxx»v*^ 

jh«^ vUx\\>>»^ 
WUuMvlxy Us dohlxi C\^iUt\<K I'^Ux ?^Uxx\\>m^ 
i>f \xsH\^k\ hi^ih iKhxvKnI vx'ok^ vx>tv U<\^«*; 
Awxl U>Uxx^ iW xKx»wUv!«x! »w^V wUU^U 

UtV K> U* lhif^Hhv« wu$iv\ UvHW by 

hxx^»r» 
My 5*vxkU i^\x>u «h$!S Sii^ViUl fvx^xxKl»i«v hx 

|x^y^ 

sJ<v\v 
l'»x*»^xx<>J Ixy »Jx*i^ wilv^^xwrjr xxT iJxy jx^Vv* 

Nvxi vUy<A«xK\>«!i^ Ixxx! rtxx?!itxx\l lixrvxx^tx xxiiK 

jj\x>^5i 5iV!X5 >>V>r^Jx 
!?^>*XXr^ IfWVV^XXJ ^^ixN*XXX vvf yvXXX«h*!ii Yx>ilxX|V 



I'Hinins'M, noNM'rnt. 



'im 



■|<» Ai.or.KNriN <rtArii,i,f'. cwiNmriNc:, 

Nor «lii('c |ir(if«l ,Vlii(l(»wi! |«»iii((l lilr* 

|(ii|r||l. nonj/ 
'I lir<iii."li linlclfnw riii'dflowM l<( ii. iiKiiVfl 

lull^ lillllll, 

I III'. Imi|/I;uiiI Iiciii lii-Mi'i| Ik c.o uwi'i-I ii 

nIi'iiIii 
Hit »«'<'<*(. iiH lliliM', mill Jill! i-.o (•.iilidy 

Mlronc, I 
Wlii'dii'i' uml lovi' ll. MioiiiiiH, or wn'iiliii 

nil WKdIK 

Till' iliyllimlc riiK" "f iii<'ii,f,iii<li'fv', i||i! 

(liilii, 
l)iillli<« wllli joy, or Hwdlii In (l<i y piiin, 

Willi! Ilivl-.lliil r'.olll:-, (he «lllrillic||l!/ 

lioli'i) |,iii|iiii;/ ! 
A I lliy ('liiiMiiiil lifiilli (>;ili' lii:;((irl<"-i 

lilu-.li oiiri' iiinii' : 
Hci^! iCiiftiiiiiori'rn ^.iiill'-! 'Iiliili I'lV I'toni 

Miii'V'h <',V""i; 
'Vniill Ml (III- loiil \I.'.||<i'« inLliiii/lil, 

llOU II. 

Or lull I', lo liiiirlc lt;i.rllioloiiii'w'rt iiii 

KhIhIk-iI rrlci'. ! 
iili-iil. Willi V.w liorii-, »r «'„|y,|oii wi'li'ly 

Mown 

O'i'l' I In- (/lIlM ill'llljl f/IOWl of fill- cii;;,'!!! 

KmIik'iI lioiii'I 

I Jill crowMid liy hope, wIii'miI wllli 

iiilKiml. (Ii-xlrc, 
'lliy iiiirii- Mourn lof I l<-',l., wIkii Iki Idcal.li 

h (Irtiwii 
III nliiiiili'Mn llhcrl.y'M <'liii'ii';ij (lfi.W'ii, 
And " noiiKH of Mdiirlwc," her vvarin ll|i« 

hiiilitrc; 
IliK.li III iiiiioiiil ckII.'iiki', liifdi (iiMJ 

lilf/JK-r, 
Hill! Idioy". I lice ii|,, nil, ffulirc (/ro«» 

va)ior>i K''ii<', 
Thy proiKJ, Oiunc f^lnllcij nj»)rll. v}*-'/*'^ on 
'I'lic imvillfil foniil. of fr<<(loni'« cryf.liil 

(ii.'. 
WIhii llion haul, dralni-il i\ii\, dniiif/hlc, 

divinely nin'Ni. 
'Ml/I liKid \\if.\y*., and hal" liMiintM (;f 

nioi II, 



On IlKhlnliiK llioii(/|il.f* Ihy ihoml l|inn< 

di'i'fs hnnil, 
Of ra|iliiioii!) i!oii(/t Apollo'H f.cif, im-w- 

horn, 
Mli/hl. IhiKi liavi' itiMiij; from lili: Olynipiiin 

tt|»hi'r<' ; 
All hi'iirl.n iir<" I hi Hied; all nalionu 

himlii'd lo hear I 

IV. 

M» l,l>o,M( I' A WrcilT, 

Aire I lion conn' iicUIi'mh pod., h'lifly 

fr.<-. 
.'^.Inj/lnj/ vaj^iK^ p,i>\\uf, an ••iranI, hrain 

Iniiplri'ii V 
.\f;id wllli \\m: riivi'iiln.". foff of Inward 

()r.«, 
Wliodi- IJoodw o'crwhi'lni liini lilc- a 

nia^.lcrl<'«« ncii ',' 
.No! ail. and na.liiri' wlcdy l(l< iid in 

Ih.'.-t 
Thy colli Iki:* h'ltriU'd fromlfiyjjof lofl.hsl, 

lyr.... 
VVhiil. Ia.wt« f.hoiild hind wciid fiiiii'y'w 

wild dcf,lr<^«, 
l!oiind<'d lo rhylhinl'' Iniinoilalily I 
TliiH p;old<n Ihoiif/hfit In (^old<n \utr- 

inonh-n inccl.; 
Thy fiilry ronci'pllonn reel nol, wifli falw, 

f/|<»w, 
Tliioii}/h fr<?n/,|('d khIiii^. hy indrhal 

(nol.h-y f'.waycd ; 
iJiil, |ia.-.«lon cnrla-d, wllh vol<'«-« t-.l.ronf/ 

and ttwccl., 
I'.orn of rc(/rcl- or laplnrc, lov or woe, 
l'a«tt fr<»ni ridi «nn«liini: h»d<w hannlcd 

pJiiuh;t 

V. 

<'Ali(,v/,r':. 

O <j|(A,vr'IK nature; llk<t a inonnlaln 

helKht, 
Which plcrcew heaven! ye|, wllh found 

afioni deep, 
(fooled where r-arlliV, rria)e«fle foin-n 

Bleep, 
In 'pilel, hrealhinj/ on the hreatit of 



270 



LATER POEMS. 



Proud thoughts were his that scaled the 

infinite 
Of loftiest grasi), and calni Elysiaii 

sweep ; 
Fierce thouglits were liis tliat burnt the 

donjon keep 
Of ancient wrong, to flood its crjpts 

with hglit : 
Yet o'er his genius, firm as Ailsa's 

rock, 
Large, Atlantean, with grim grandeur 

dowered, — 
Love bloomed, and Inuls of tender 

beauty flowered : — 
Yet down liis rugged uiassiveness of 

will 
Unscarred by alien passion's fiery shock, 
Mercy flowed melting like an Alpine 

rill! 

VI. 

TO JEAN INGELOW. 

BiJAA'E lyrist! like the sky-lark, heaven- 
possessed, 
Thy glance is sunward; and thy soul 

grown wise. 
Fronts the full splendor of Apollo's 

eyes, 
While following still thy muse's high 

behest: 
Strength, sweetness, subtlety, are all 

expressed 
In thy clear lays, — whether they dare 

the skies, 
O'ertopping radiant dawns, or rill-like 

rise, 
To thread with rhythmic pulse earth's 

pastoral breast! 
Proud inspiration, hand in hand with 

act 



Ilath made thy winged feet beaut if id 

along 
The haloed heights of thine eternal song: 
So near our human love, though born 

afar, 
Its mellow conconl on the listeners 

heart 
Melts with the softness of a falling star! 

VII. 
TO M. I. r. 

Your gracious words steal o'er like the 

breeze 
That blows from far-off southland isles 

benign, — 
All steeped in perfume, sweet as fairy 

wine. 
Yet touched with salt keen breathings 

of the seas ! 
What smiling thoughts of tender min- 
istries 
Passionless service, and strong faith 

divine. 
Pest with this pictured sister's face of 

thine. 
And sister's love: — (blent fire and 

balms of ease!) 
O love! a two-faced shield of light thou 

art. 
Whose golden-sided glamoui- k)ng liath 

shone. 
In wedded bliss and allluence on my 

life; 
A sister's love — the fair shield's silvery 

zone. 
Turns on me now! — thy deathless 

fervor, wife, 
Blends with the sweetness of this new 

found heart! 



MACDONALD'S RAID. 271 



MACDONALD'S RAID. — A.D. 1780. 
AS NARRATED MANY YEARS AFTER BY A VETERAN OF " MARION'S BRIGADE." 

[The hero of the following ballad, though a Scotchman by birth, was a determined, enthusi- 
astic Whig. Marion's men, among whom he served during the whole of the war for Indepen- 
dence, regardetl hini with an admiration bordering sometimes upon awe. His gigantic size and 
strength, and a species of "Berserker- rage " whicu came over him in battle, were the means by 
which he performed many a feat of " derring-do," characteristic rather of the Middle Ages 
than the times of practical " Farmer George." Of all his desperate escapades, the raid through 
Georgetown, South Carolina, with a force of only four troopers (Geoi'getowii being a fortified 
post, defended by a garrison of three hundred English regulars), proved, naturally enough, ihe 
most notorious. Authorities differ as to the origin and details of this remarkable affair. Some 
inform us that Sergeant Macdouald had been commanded by Marion to take a small party of his 
men and merely reconnoitre the enemy's lines, and that he chose to exceed his orders ; while 
others affirm that Macdonald himself, acting independently, as he often did, proposed the mad 
scheme of " bearding the British lion in his den," as a charming relief to the ennui of camp life. 
The latter authorities have furnished the groundwork of our ballad. " Nothing," observes Horry, 
in his Life of General jMarion, " ever so mortitied the British as did this mad frolic. ' That half 

a dozen d d young rebels,' they exclaimed, ' should thus dash in among us, in open daylight, 

and fall to cutting and slashing the /.'Mify's troo2>s a,t this rate I And after all, to gallop away 
without the least harm in hair and hide ! 'Tis high time to turn our bayonets into pitchforks, 
and go to foddering the cows.' "] 

I EEMEMBEi! it Well; "twas a morn dull and gray, 

And the legion lay idle and listless that day, 

A thin drizzle of rain piercing chill to the soul, 

And with not a spare bumper to brighten the bowl, 

When Macdonald arose, and unsheathing his blade. 

Cried, '• Who'll back me, brave comrades ? I'm hot for a raid. 

Let the carbines be loaded, the war harness ring, 

Then swift death to the Redcoats, and down with the King!" 

We leaped up at his summons, all eager and bright. 

To our finger-tips thrilling to join him in fight; 

Yet he chose from our numbers four men and no more. 

" Stalwart brothers," quoth he, "you'll be strong as fourscore, 

If you follow me fast wheresoever I lead. 

With lieen sword and true pistol, stanch lieart and bold steed. 

Let the weapons be loaded, the bridle-bits ring. 

Then swift death to the Redcoats, and down with the King!" 

In a crice we were mounted; Macdonald's tall form 

Seated firm in the saddle, his face like a storm 

Wlien the clouds on Ben Lomond hang heavy and stark, 

And the red veins of lightning pulse hot through tlie dark; 

His left hand on his sword-belt, his right lifted free. 

With a prick from the spurred heel, a touch from the knee, 

Ilis lithe Arab* was off like an eagle on wing — 

Ha! death, death to the Redcoats, and down with the King! 

* Macdonald owned a magnificent horse, named Selim, of pure Arabian blood, which he 
obtained possession of through a cunning trick played at the expense of a certain wealthy Car- 
olina Tory. 



LATER POEMS. 



"I'wiis thit'c lt'a;;ut'.s to the town, wlu'rc, in iiisdlciU priilc, 

Of Llu'ir (lisc'ipliiu'd miiubors, tlu'ir works strong ami wiilf, 

Tlio big Britons, oblivions of waifaro and arms, 

A soft doled were wnipixnl in, not ilreaniing of iiarnis, 

When tierce yells, as if borne on some liend-ridden rout. 

With strange cheer after cheer, are heard echoing without. 

Over which, like the blast of ten tnnniJeters, ring, 

" Death, ilealh n> the lii'di'oats, and down willi the King!" 

Such a tmniilt we raised with sled, hoof-stroke, and shout, 

That the foemen made straight for their inmost redoubt. 

And therein, wiili luile lips and cowed spirits, (lut)th they, 

"Lord, the whole rebel army assaults us to-day. 

Are tlie works, think you, strong ? (lod of hea\(Mi, what a din! 

'Tis the front wall besieged — have the rebels rusheil in ".' 

It must be; for, hark! hark to that jubilant ring 

Of 'tlcath to the Redcoats, and (U)wii with the King! ' "' 

Meanwhile, through the town like a whirlw iml wt> speil. 

And i're long be assured that our broadswords wt're red; 

And the ground here and there by an onunous stain 

IShoweil how the stark soldier bcsiiU' it was slain: 

A fat sergeant-major, who yawed like a goose. 

With Ids waddling bow-legs, and his trappings all loose. 

By one hack-lianded blow the Macdonald cuts down. 

To the slioulder-blade cleaving him sheer through the crown. 

And the last words that greet his dim consciousness ring 

With "Death, death to the Uedcoats, and down with the King!" 

Having cleared all the streets, not an enemy left 
Whose heart was nnpierced, or whose lieadpiece uncleft, 
Wliat should we do next, hut — as careless aiul calm 
As if we were scenting a summer morn's balm 
'Mid a land of pure peace — just serenely dropdown 
On the few constant friends who still stopped in the town. 
WImtw. wekH)me they gave us! One dear little thing. 
As I kissed her sweet lips, did I dream of the King ".' — 

Of the King or his nuuions ? No; ^A'ar and its scars 

Seemed as distant just then as the fierce front of Mars 

From a love-girdled earth; but, alack! on our bliss. 

On the close clasp of arms and kiss showering on kiss, 

Broke the rude bruit of battle, the rush thick and fast 

Of the Hritons made 'ware of our rash rnac at last; 

So we haste to our coursers, yet flying, we fling 

The old watch-words abroad, '' Down with Bedcoats and King! " 



MAClJUNALD'ti UAllJ. 



27a 



As we scampered pell-iiiell o'er the hard-l)eaten track 
We had ti'avorsed that morii,we glaiKX'd nioiuently back, 
AikI beheld their long eartli-v\ ork.s all eompaissed in llanie: 
With a vile plunge and hiss tin," huge nuiskel-balls cauic, 
And the soil was ploughed up, and the space 'twixt tin; trees 
,Se(.'nied to hum with the war-song of Brobdingnag bees; 
Yet above thcni, beyond them, victoriously ring 
The sliouts, •■ Death to the liedcoats, and down witli the King! 

Ah ! that was a feat, lads, to boast of! What men 
Like; you weaklings to-day had durst cope with us then ? 
Though 1 say it who should not, 1 am ready to vow 
I'd o'ermatch a half score of your fops even now — 




•1 remember it well; 'twas a iriorii cold and gray, . 
A tliiu drizzle of raiu piercing chill to the soul." 



The poor puny prigs, mincing np, mincing down. 
Through th(! whole wasted day the tlironged streets of the town: 
Why, their dainty white necks 'twere but pastime to wring — 
Ay! my muscles are firm still; / fought 'gainst the King! 



Dare you doubt it V well, give me the weiglitiest of all 

The sheathed sabres tliat hang there, unlooped on the wall; 

Hm'l the scab])ard aside; yield the blade to my clasp; 

Do you see, with one hand how I poise it and grasp 

The rough iron-boimd hilt ? \\\H\ this long hissing sweep 

I have smitten full many a foeman with sleep — 

That forlorn, final sleep! God! what memories cling 

To those gallant old times when we fought 'gainst the King. 



•^74 LATER POEMS. 



THE BATTLE OF KIXGS MOIXIAIX. 

Supposed to have been narrated by ati aged volunteer. \v}io had taken part in the 
fight, to eertain of his friends and neighbors, upon the fiftieth anniversjiry of the conflict, 
viz. Oct. 7. IfioO. 

[Written for the (.entonnial Celebration of the battlo on Oct. 7, 1S)>0.] 

Ch TTiMKs an old man's yostoiilays o'er his trail vision pass. 

Dim as the twilight tints that tonoh a lUisk-onshrondoil glass: 

Btit. ah I youth's time and nianluHxrs i>rinu> but grow moiv bravo, more bright. 

As still tho k'Ugthoniug slunlows stoal towaul the rayU-ss niglil. 

So doom it not a marvol, frionds. if. gathoring fair and fast, 
1 now behold the gallaiu forms that giaood our glorious past. 
xViid ilown the winds of memory hear those battle bugles blow. 
Of strifeful breath, or wails of death, just lifty years ago. 

Yes. tifty years this self-same morn, and yet to me it seems 
As if time's interval were spanned by a vague bridge of dreams. 
Whose eloitd-like arehes form and fade, then form and fade again. 
Until a beardless youth ouee more, 'mid stern, thiek-bearded men. 

I ride on Khoderic's bounding baek, all thrilled at heart to feel 

My trusty "smooth-bore's"' deadly round, and toiteh of stainless steel — 

And quivering with heroie rage — that rush of patriot ire 

Whieh makes our lives from head to heel, one seethiitg Hood of tire. 

There are some wroniis so blaekly base, the tiger strain that runs. 
And sometimes maddens thro' the veins, of Adam's fallen sons. 
Must mount and mount to furious height, whieh only blood ean quell, 
AVho smite with hellish hate nmst look for hate as hot from belli 

And bide it as we n\ay with words, its awful need confessed. 

War is a death's-head thinly veiled, even warfare at its best; 

B„t ir<' — heaven help us!— strove with those by lust and greed aeeurst. 

And learned what untold horrors wait on warfare at its worst. 

You well may deem my soul in youth dwelt not on thoughts like these: 
Timed to strong Khoderie's tramp my pulse grew tuneful as the breeze. 
The hale October breeze, whose voiee, borne from far ocean's marge. 
Tealed with the tnnnpet's resonance, whieh sottuds - To ho:se. and charge!" 

A mist from recent i-ains was spread about the glimmering hills: 
Far off. far off. we heard the lapse of streams and swollen rills. 
While luingling with them, or beyond, from depths of changeful sky, 
Kose savage, sullen, dissonant, the eagle's famished cry. 

We marched in fmir firm columns, nine hundred men and more. 
Men of the mountain fortresses, men of the sea-girt shore; 



THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 275 

Hough as their centuried oaks were these, those fierce as ocean's shocks, 
Wlieii mad September breaks her lieart across the Ilatteras rocks. 

We iiiari'licd in lour linn •■oliiiniis. till now tin; evening li.ght 
Glinted througii rifting cloud and tog athwart the embattled heiglit. 
Whereon, deep-lined, in dense array of scarlet, buff or dun. 
The haughtiest British " regulars" out flashed the doid)tful sun. 

Horsemen and footmen centi'ed there, unflinching rank on rank. 
And the l)aHe Tories circled near, to guard each threatened flank; 
Ihit, pale, deternuned, sternly calm, our men, dismounting, stood, 
And at tlieir leader's cautious sign, crouched in tlie sheltering wood. 

What scenes come back of luin and wrack, Ijcfore tliose raidis abhorred! 
The cottage floor all fouled witli gore, the axe, the brand, the cord; 
A lumdred craven deeds revived, of insult, injury, shame — 
Deeds earth nor wave noi- Are could hide, and crimes without a name. 

Sucli thouglds but luirdencHl soul and liaml. Ila! "dour as deatli" were we, 
Waiting to catcli tlie voice wliicli set our unlcaslied passion free. 
At last it came deep, ominous, when all the mountain ways 
Burst from awed silence into sound, and every bush ablaze. 

Sent forth long jets of wavering bhie, wherefrom, witli fatal dart, 
The red-hot Deckhard bullets flew, each hungering for a lieart; 
And swift as if our lingers held strange; magic at their tips, 
Our guns, reloaded, spake again from their death-dealing lips, 

Again, again, and yet again, till in a moment's hush. 
We heard the order, " ]Jay'net,s charge! " when, with o'ermastering rush, 
Their "regulars" against us stormed, so strong, so swift of pace. 
They hurled us backward bodily for full three furlongs' space. 

lint, bless you, lads, we scatt(!red, dodged, and when the charge was o'er. 
Felt fi(!rcer, pluckier, madden- far, than e'er we had felt before; 
From guardian tree to tree we crept, while upward, with proud tramp. 
The liritish lines had slowly wheeled to gain their 'leaguered camp. 

Too late; for ere they topped the height, Ilambright and Williams strode 
With all their armed foresters, across the foeman's road, 
What time from right to left there rang tht; Indian war-whoop wild. 
Where Sevier's tall Waturga boys through the dim dells defiled. 

"Now, by (Jod's grace," cried Cleaveland (my nobb; colonel he), 
liesting (to pick a Tory off) (piite coolly on his knee — 
" \ow, by God's grace, we have them! the snare is subtly set; 
The game is bagtred; we hold them safe as pheasants in a net." 



276 LATKli I'OKMV. 



And thus it proved ; for galled and pressed more closely hour by hour, 
Their army shrank and withered fast, like a storin-smitten llo^^■('r; 
r>lank-cyed, wan-browiMl, their bravest lay along the ensanguined land, 
Wliile of the living, few liad 'scaped the bile of l)all or l)rand. 

Yet sturdier knave than Ferguson ne'er ruled a desperate fray: 
By heaven! you should have seen him ride, rally, and rave that day. 
His fleet horse scoured the stormy ground from roek-bound wall to wall. 
And o'er the rout shrilled wildly out his silvery signal call. 

" That nian nnist die before they lly, or yield to us the lii'ld." 
Thus spake 1. to three comrades true beneath our oak-tree shield; 
And when in furious haste again the scarlet soldiers came 
Beside our fastness like a iiend, hurtling through dust and llanie. 

Their sharp demurrers on the wind our steadfast rifles hurled, 

And one bold life was stricken then from out the living ^\or!d. 

But, almost sped, he reared his head, grasping his silver call. 

And one long blast, the faintest, last, wailed round the mountain wall. 

Ah, then the white flags fluttered high; then shrieks and curses poured 
From the hot throats of Tory hounds beneath the avenger's sword — 
Those hiM-less brutes who long had lost all claims of Christian men, 
Whereof by sunset we had hanged the worst and vilest ten. 

We slept upon the Held that night, 'midmost our captured store. 
That seemed in gloating eyes to spread and heighten more and more. 
Truly the viands ravished us; our clamorous stomachs tin'ued 
Eager toward the provender for which they sorely yearned. 

Apicius! what a feast was there blended of strong and sweet. 
Cured venison hams, Falstaffian pies, and fat pigs' pickled feet: 
While here and there, with cunning leer, and sly Silenus wink, 
A stoutish demijohn peered out, and seemed to gurgle, " Drink!" 

Be sure we revelled merrily, till eyes and faces shone; 

Our lowliest felt more lifted up than any king on throne; 

Our singers trolled; our jesters' tongues were neither stiff nor dumb; 

And. by Lord Bacchus! how we .piaffed tluit old .lamaica rum! 

IVrchance (oh. still, through good and ill. bis honest name 1 bless!) — 
rerehance my brother mai-ked in me some symptoms of excess; 
For gently on my head he laid his stalwart hand and true, 
And gently led me forth below the eternal tent of blue; 

He led me to a dewy nook, a soft, sweet, trancpul place, 

And there 1 saw. upturned and pale, how many a pulseless face! 




Ih-.a iuaii niii^,. .lir IkI.ik; I hey lly, (jt yield lo us the Held. 



THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. 277 

Our cornrjulos dcarl — Ihcy scaroe hccxwA flod, despite tlif-ir gliastly scars, 
Hut wrapped in deei), pure fojils of sleep b<!neal,li tlie undying stars. 

My blood was calmed; all being grew exalted as the night, 

Whenet! soli;nin thoughts saile<l weirdly down, like heavenly swans of white, 

With herald stiains in(;ftaij|i;, whos*; billowy organ-roll — 

'I'lirilled to tin; loftiest mountain [leaks and sum/nits of my soul. 

Then voices rose (or seemed to rise) close to the raptured ear, 
Y<;t fraught with music marvellous of some transcendent sphere, 
While fancy whispered: These arc tones of heroes, saved and sliriven, 
Who long have swept the harps of God by storml<;ss seas in heaven I 

Heroes who fought for right and law, but, purged from selfish dross. 
Above whose conquering banners waved a shadowy Christian cross: 
Whose mightiest d<;ed no ruthless greed had smirched with sad mistrust, 
And whose maji;stic honors scorn all taint of earthly <lust. 

Doubt, doubt who may I but. as I live, on the calm mountain height 
Those voices soared, and sank, and soared up to the mystic night. 
A dream I perhaps; but. ah I such dreams in ardent years of youth 
Transcend, as heaven transcends the f;arth, your srjrdid daylight truth. 

The voices soared, and sank, and soared, till, past the cloud-built bars, 
'i'hey fainted on the utmost strand and silvery surge of stars. 
Then sotacJIihui spoke: Your friends who strove the battle tide to stem, 
^^'ho died in striving, have jiassed up beyond the stars with them. 

What, lads I you think the old man crazed to talk in this high strain. 
Or deem the punch of years gone by still buzzes in his brain '.' 
Down with such carnal fantasy! nor let your folly send 
Its blunted shafts to smite the truth you may not comprehend. 

Would yf! be worthy of your sires who on King's Mountain side 
Welcomed rlark death for freedom's sake as brid(;grooms clasp a bride,? 
Then must your faith lie winged above the world, the wonn, the clod. 
To own the veiled infinitudes and i>lumbless depths of fjoill 

The roughest rider of my day slirank from the atheist's sneer. 
As if Iscariot's self were crouched and whispering at his ear; 
The stormiest souls that ever led our mountain forays wild 
Would ofttimes show the simple trust, the credence, of a child. 

True faith goes hand in hand with power — faith in a holier charm 
Than fires the subtlest mortal brain, the mightiest mortal arm; 
And though 'tis right in stress of fight " to keep one's powder dry," 
What strength to feel, beyond our steel, burns the great Captain's eye! 



1>T8 LATER roEMS. 



THE HASGIXG OF BLACK CrUJO. 

(1780. > 
A 1UA1.ECT 11AI.LA1>. 

Tl»e inoulonis of this Ballad are literally true. Our reailors will tiiul them oireumstantially 
reconUni in Horry's •• IJte of Marion." Captttin Snipes llMioebus! trhttt a naniel was a notable 
jvitriot lUuing the IJevolntionary war, but is likely to be known to the future, rather as the mas- 
ter of Cmljo, than as an active member of a rartis;\n Band. 

lie resided in the low country of South Carolina; and Cudjo's quaint patois is an e.ract rep- 
resentation of the broken Kuglish spoken by the slaves of that section in the ante b^ltum times: 

" Wki.l. Maiissal if yoii wants to boor. I'll toll von 'bout inn 'tnio. 
Doh doborry tant ob dat bad time is til totnn nio bUio; 
A sort ob brimstone blno on black, wid jist a staro o' wito. 
As whon dom onssod Toiyoomo fnr wiu-k doit" bate dat niiol 

"Mass Tom and me was born, I link, 'bont desame year and day. 
And wo was boys togedder.BossI in obbory sport and play — 
Ole missis gib mo to Mass Tom wid ber las' failin bret : 
And so I boun' — in conscioneo boun', fur stick to him till dot. 

•' At las" ole Manssa. he took sick wid chill and feber high. 
And do good Dokter shake 'e head, and say lie snrfnr die. 
And so trne 'nnff do sickness bun' and freeze out all he life. 
And soon ole Maussa sleep in peace long side e* fatefid wife. 

"Den ebbery ting do Ian' conld show, do crap, do boss, de cows. 
Wid all dem niggor in do fiel'. and all dem in de house. 
Dey b'long to my Mass Tom fur true, aiul so dat berry year. 
lie pick ine out from all de folks to meek me Obersheer I 

•• I done nty bos', but nigg-ars. sir —dey seems a lazy pack. 
One bnckra man will do mo' wiick dan tive and twenty black. 
I jeereil dem and I wollopeil dem. and cussed dem too — bnt law! 
De Debbie self could nebber keep dem rascal np to tan! 

'• Bnt still we done as gootl as mose. wid cotton, rice and corn. 
Till in de year dat 'Xuttin^ tall ' * (my oldest chile) was born. 
De Tory war. de bkxxly war. 'bont which you've heenl den\ tell. 
Come down on all de country yeh. as black and hot as hell I 

" Mass Tom he jine de "Whig, yon know; in course I follow him. 
And Gor' a mighty! how he slash dem Tory limb from limb. 
When fust I heer the war-oiy shout and see de tlow ob blood'— 
I long fur hide this woolly head like cootah in de mud! 

* The uegiv> is a hvunoivus creature. \N"e have crtxUbly heaul of a negix> father whose son 
being abnoi'imUlii siimU, at birth. e<.x^lly haw.! the ebony youngster christenevl. " Stttttn' Tall 
{SotMnii at all). We have bori\>wetl so characteristic a name, and b^stowe^l it upon Cu^ljo's sup- 
jposititious " son and heir." 

This is the single touch of fancy in the whole ballad. 



THE HANGING OF BLACK CUDJO. 279 



" But I.au(l! I soon git n'used to blood, dc broadswed an.l de .strife 
And nebbcr care a pig tail o<-iid fur 'tuddf;r folk.s's Jjfc- ' 

Only, I l.w;rd my Mau.ssa y.-ll tiiro' all dem battle-call ' 
And snoaked dis big fat karkiss up betwixt bini and de ball! 

- WV-ll, sir: one day Mas. Ton. eon.e home, 'e elo.e and boss blood red, 
And say sense all dem Tory kill, be gsvine dat once to bed ; 
^ nee.ls a long fine snooze,' sez be, ' so don't vou wake me soon 
I.ut r u.l.|(,: let m.. snore onealle.l till lat,; tr.-morrow noon !' ; 

'-.Somebow, my mine misgib me dem; so by de kitebin light, 

J sot and smoked, with open oars, a listenen' true de nite- 

A rul u l.en de f us eoek crow, I beer a fur soun, down de road, 

And knr.wed 'urn fur de bosses' trot, and de clash ob spur and sword: 

'• ^i.ick I run outside in <le yad, an.l f,uick outsi.Ie de gate- 
And then; I see .le 'J 0,7 come as fas' and sbo' as fate; 
J run back to my Maussa room, and den wid pull and push 
J slu.b lun by de side way out, and hide "um in de bush! 

'• He only hab lie nitc shut on, and liow lie rabe and cuss' 
' JJut Maussa: bush,' sez I, ' before you meek dis matter wuss; ' 
J tun to hn some hidin' too, but de moon shine bright as sun 
And de d-d 'JV„y ride so swif ', dey ketch me on de ri 



run. 



^ Den, d.=y all screech toged.ler, lou.l, ' I?oy, is your Boss widin ^ 

.^ay vy here be bide, or by de Lawd! your life not wut a pin! ' 
r tren.bled at dese homd tret, but sweer mv Boss was fled, 
let when, or whfrre, poor Cudjoknowed no better dan dedead. 

''One Toiy debble teck my head, another teck my foot 

Jo drag 7ne like a Chrismass hog to d.. ole oak tree root- 

I)oy flmg a tick rope roun' my neck, dey drawed me quick and high, 

I seed a tousan' million star a-flasbin' from de sky. 

- An.] ,l..n I chok.., and all de blood keep nishin' to my head 
,,,.,;"^',V" ^' ' '"'^ ''"'^' groaned, and guggled low enstead; 
J m ebbery ting growed black as nite, and my last taut was, sho, 
i^is nigger is a gone coon now, he'll see de wuld no mo' ! 

''But, Boss! T was a bale man den, and tough as tough coul.l be- 
)ey loose de rope an.l let me <lown quite safely fromde tree; 

Jmt when I seed and beered agen, come de same furious cry 
•Say where your Maussa bide, you dog, quick, quick, or else'you .lie! ' 

"I gib dem de same answer still, and so, dey hang me higher; 
I ff-d de same hot chokin' soli ; see de same stany fire - ' 

An.l Jesus self, ho. br.n^' m.- safe fr.,m ail ,le pain and fear. 



•J8U 



LATKli rOh'MS. 



** Mos(> (load »loy lof tiio, .s|HYiu\d oolo. strotoluHl oiulo swnshy jjiimui" 
Whilo hII »lo hoiiso, blsi' liouso jiuil small, whs Ma/,iu\ I'allln' roiiu'. 
WluMi ixM'c Mass \\n\\ t"it>iii »miI il(> l»ilar orci'i* ii\ lu> hall' torn shut, 
'To l>K'ss aiul rlu,n uu- l'\ l>i>l<- hau" iUm«> in do ilaiup ami ilui I 

•' Ami whiMi tlo war was obor, Moss, Mass Tom, he ctMm' to M\t\ 

Ami say. I sal>o lio lifo dat thm\ ainl so ho im-ck luo lr>'t-; 

' I'll gih \ou hoiisi- ami lau' (so*ho,^ "auil wulilcni i>loiis;h ami umlc,' 

I liMilv him Iviiul. • hiu Uoss," (says 1.) • w ha' uuh'U ,\oii tiiiU im- tool ".'' 

•• ' It \on. Mass Toiu, was HU(\" (so/ 1.) Nome hm-Kia dai I Uiiow. 
('mi,|o hiu run aiul hng«lo swamp l.awd hlossyon! Ions; a!;o, 
Ihii I j;*>i !>ll liUiidiH I want, w iil not om> lax to pay; 
N«>w ijx* K>ii>;, Maiissal why yoii wish lor iliilu' olo t'uj away i' 

" ■ I uohhor SCO t'ro(> iii,u>;vr yol, hui what ho lio aiul stoal, 
l,lo lv> 'o hoss, 'o wil'o, 'o ohllo, iiulo oahiu, aiul »lo Hoi' — 
Ami as lot' lionii\'. tlom I'vtv ouss is all Uko " liiihUoot .laok.' 
W ho oai'iy »lo lass l>lanUi>l olY t'lom hosioU mmUlor haoUI 

" ' I stays w iti yoti, (so* I ujjaln.) I mook »lo iiiguoi' wtu-k. 
I wuok mysolt', ami may ho. Uoss, wo'll hriug haok doolo hiok; 
Ihit ilon'i yoti \^\t,i'n uu< »>oimMV wlvl talk ob " I'lvodouiswoot," 
Ihit saho ilat «;ah lo sHitV do voais i>l' do mom tool yoti moot!' " 



« HiKI A.\sr«).Y Kt: r.l A A.'.Y. 
l>«;o. U. ITtii\ 



As somo hair vaiujtdshod lion. 

\Vhv> KMii; hath kopi at hay 
A ham! ofstmxly t\>ivstors 

l»ainug his blood St a i nod way — 
SiMV-smitlon, wo«k and womulod — 

HUuvs l'v»rth v>t» oil hot- han»l; 
Thou, oowod w ith loar. his oavornvMts lair 

Sooks in tho mv>nnlain lanvl; 

Sv> w hon thoir st(<i'n roruwallis. 

On Yorktown hoighls »vsi«;nod. 
Ills swv>i\l U> ovu" _4iival loavlor. 

Of tho slalwarl nrmanvl mind — 
So whon both tlool and anny 

At o\u\ijiaml slivko wont down 
And Kivodonv's hoart boat high onoo 
moi\' 

In luunloU camp and iv>wu; - 



Tlnxmsjh wastod raivUtia, 

\Vhoiv"orl'i\MU plain tv> hill 
Tho Ihitoti's sinaixlod tortivssos 

I'piwso doliant si ill. 
Vttssod a koon shook of ton\u\ 

And tho btvasis of wnixsiooloil mon 
i^hiailovl in tho snddou blast of tK>om 

That smolo Ihoir siMiits thon. 

"Onioanso is Kvsil" thoy tnnltoivd. 

Palo bi\>wod, wilU t»vt\»bling liivs; 
" Ont~ siivnglh is sappvnl. ovu" hopo o'or- 
wholnnnl. 

In linal. tioivo ooUpso: 
And what to ns ivmainolh 

Unt to blow vMiroarlhwvMks high, 
And hnrl inir nsoloss baltorit^ 

In w ild liiv U> tho skv ^'* 



< 11 A ItL KH TON Itr: TA KEN. 



2»1 



'TwandoiK;! <-acli il<';t<lly lahUi<;«H 

III (laiiiiiit( Iramin'iilH ilriv<iii 
I''ailln;r lliaii ii'cr lln-'if hOul^i <;oiil<J 
<:liiiili 

Aloii;^ lln; pal.li l.o li<;iiv<;Ii — 
CoailwanI llu; IJriloiiH liiini<;<l, 

Jji rcoklchH lliroii^^H tliat, fli;<! 
Willi aH I><'f<;iiib<'r'n h(:aLLi;r<;<l domln 

StoiiiiAvliirNtil lovvanl l,li<; h<-a. 



In fJliai)<„sLoii «trc<!ts tlioy gatliiMcd, 

Ka';li ilaz<!il wi«(;a<;r(','H lii^ail 
VVagj^iii;^, piacliaiKn; in propliccy, 

Or iiior<; pi'i'-iiaiK;*; in lin-ad. 
Hoih'^iiK'ii ami rool,ni<;n niin^^lcd, 

'I'lioy talt<<'d Willi tjaU;<l l>r<;al,li 
Of Ui«; siiaiiK'fiiJ laU; Uial. blonii'-'J tlie 

<>!' wrack, aii<l hlrirc, ami di-aiiil 










'^^^■^^ 



J{oh<; on III.: IJKllix fl.,0.1, 
Wliendii Willi Mull<!ii ;i;i;iUiy 

Kiiihitrkfjil lliOK'; ni";ii o( IjIio'I.' 



Mnanwhili! our H'jii;i<lronH liasUiicd, 

K(;(!n an a Kli'iiUi-lioiim] pack 
'I'liat near liii-ir <ii;hUn<'<l (jiiairy 

liy Moim; <lri*ar wil<l-woo<l track, 
All, (.'liri«t! wlial, <lc^^(>jalioll 

\WU)\i: iw {grimly frowned! 
'I'lic roadways tnaiclicd and fiiii(jw<Mi, 

Tin; f(orc-cnHanj.Miin<'d j^round, 
Willi many a mark (oii! dc<!i) and dark!) 

Made gliantlicr l»y Liu; Htar-wliilc fronl, 
'TwixL lirokcii close and tliorn-Iicdgc- 

row, 
Of d<'«|((;i'at,c cliarj^c and morlal lilow 

ill <()ii(licl,s won or IonI, ! 

i'roiid manors once llie centre 

Of jiiliilaiit life and mirl.li, 
Now Hilent an the he|»iil«lire, 

iiegirt by ruin and dearth; 



'ili'-ir liruaij domains all blackened 
Willi taint of (ire and smoke. 

And corpses vile witli a di^ath's-head 
smile, 
iSwuntj high on the gnarled oak. 

NTo sportive /locks in flu- pasliire, 

\o aftei-math on tiie lc;t; 
No l:iiii,di fd" the slaves at labors 

Sit cdiant of birds on tin; tree; 
IJiit all things bodeful, dreary, 

As a realm by tlie Stygian flood, 
With odors of death on the uplands, 

And a tasU', in the air of blood! 

On, on our squadrons hastf'iied, 
Sick with tlie noisoim! fumes 

From iii;iii and beast iinburied, 
'riiiDii'^li III'' dull fiineial glooir 



'iS'i 



LATKli rOEALS. 



Till n\ mi.suUlod sutishluo 

<>uo glorious moru wo oatuo 
Whoiv far aloof, o'or lovvoraud roof. 

Wo viowod our bravo t>u Mioliaol's 
spin> 
Klushod iu llvo uooutivio (lauiol 

Without thoir ruiuinl ratuivirts, 

Hoyoiui thoir shatiorod liuos. 
Just wlunv tl»o soil, bout soawaixl. 

In ouo long slopo ilooliuos. 
Tlio foo iiavl soul ih«nr u\ossousivrs, 

Wln> \o\\0(l tlto vau<iuislu\l host 
\\ ould loav uttsoathod our oity. 

Would loavo uusoathoil tnu'ooa^t! 

<,'>uly duo tit>\o thoY \>rayoil fv>r 

(MooK. u\ook our lonls had givwu) 
'l\> raugx> thoir hridvou logious, 

Ai\d i-xn>r ratiks ovortluvwti — 
80 that, though sutiivhod aud taiutod 

Thoir uu«rtial fa mo mlghl ho, 
lu oivlor tuoot thoir statoly tUvt 

vShould hoar tl\oi\i safo to soa. 

Who \vit», may woU ho graoious; 

Wo did not stint thoir hoou. 
Though iho whito 'koivhiofs of our 
wivos 

Woiv tluttoivd iu tho nvHMU 
t."»t\ houso-to\> and o\» parapol 

Kaoh tokot* fair and far 
8hot\o thtvugh tho g\>ldo»< attu»>sphoix^ 

Liko somo ouohauiovl star! 

No\t 'morn thoir sigtial oat\uon 

Ixoatvd fivtn tho vanwatxl wall. 
Attd to tho raixks right gloofully 

Wo gathoivd, ono and all. 
Our Ivmnors soanxHl in n>auy a tight, 

t\>uld still tlash iMok tho wiutor light. 
At\d pi\nid as knights of old »vtu>wn. 

With sunhurui hatuls and faoi^s 
^^^^\\u. 

r>ort»o ihiMugh tho jo>ous. vUvponing 

lunu. 
"MKl ritvg of trfo a>»il boat of drmn, 
*Mid pudding silk and tUwory atvh, 
Our KM»^g. uuv\a\oring ovduu»us matvh; 



1 And yot (good sooth I) wo almost si>om 
I.iko woird battalions of a droau\; 
Our souls bowildoivd soaivo oau dootu 

I W<> tivail ouoo moiv. 

I l{i^l»>asod, soom\\ 

With foltorloss footsto\>s as »d' yv>ro. 

; Tho \>ath\\ays of tho ai\oioi»t town! 

i .\t>d still, as boruo thixMvgh droamlai\d. 

Wo glai\o<vl frv>j\i sido to sido. 
' Whilo mothors. wivos attd daughters 
; rushod 

Togtvot tis. totulor-oyod; 
t Kaoh hoary i>;Urioi luiuidly 
I l.iftod his bravo, gray hoad. 
j Atid tho forms \>f v-aix>\\oru oajuivos 
I l\>so 

Liko .spootros frvM>\ tho doad — 

I I.iko spootivs whoui tho truutpots 

; i>f fivod«un\s oohorts oall 

■ To burst thoir gravo-liko duugoou. 

' And spuni thoir <losi>ot"s thrall; 

; Totako onoo moiv tho iluag^> 

' Of tuauhood's loftior graoo. 

j And. ohainloss now. tho univorso 

I Look holdlv iu tho faoo! 

! 

' And tho young girls soattorod tlowoi-s. 

And tho hnoly dau\os woro bright 
With soutothing moiv than boauty. 

In thoir faithful hoarts' dolight ; 
1 Tho vory k»hos woiv orvuving 
i .Shrill wolootno to our l>;\ttds. 

And. \>oivho<l ot» mativn shovddoi-s. 
! olapivd 

Ulitholy thoir iliut\>lod hands: 

I Atid naught hut honovliotiotis 
] Lightot\od that saoivd air. 
I Krwd fi^un tho awful hmxlon 

Of two long yoars' *dospair — 
Twi» yoat^so thixMigvd with a»»gnish. 

So fraught with bit tor wt\M»g. 
t Thoy soon\od it\ n\ourt\ful i\nix>si>oot 

Woll nigh a v\Mmn\v long. 

* VUo \NtVvMS\^ porivHl of U»o Urhistx (H>out>a- 
, .>n «^r iM»!u-\i\<sl>m was t\\\> ,vo«.i"s, sifvwiv 
n',>MVil>s ;u\vt u\x< »t;»ys. 



1 1 1. It A. 



'JJi'6 



Al. Ul'r IfiHl, our «t/;f<U *:XHh}Hll, 

Would n:*:;iH Hiat .v;*?rM! H^aiu, 
Willi iu xoff. ** <i<>(\ \i]t',m ymi, s^tmiU'-' 

Um nrt'td\tii/^n warm ati*! tru*!, 
A»i<l iIm; >.<rar<» of Mi.n* our lij^ fli*J 
ki*» 
Kroiri 'l</'i.r <v<'«! l;Ja'4: orl>tu«r, 

N'af,l(l<;«t«f, «l<->.j/(t,<- our r;i.(;t iir'r, 
I;r;Wfi fo fli'; harl^or-foouth 
W<! «\<)%u,cA \h*: linUfHH <\(}()Uu-<i Up 

"y 

Kor«'V»'r from our Houtli ! 
TlMry l»;f», ',tn luinu: foul vulf.ur'! 

Mij4l(t. U:nv«: tii» »fiafiS(l«;<l pn^y, 
Ari<l ]in.'*H wit.Ji c.Uft.U'A t)«:'a,k and wh(s< 

lJ<'lu';».a»il.ly away, 

Tluw liU(i<Ir<^<I UoM«; V*r«i«*;l» 

iJoi^' on (li<; i'Mdh \\<>(h\, 
Wli<'r<(u with (^ullffU apaUiy 

Kf(;l»ark<'(l Mirw: »)<;ti of Moo<l; 
TIm-u ittn-amwl Ux-ir a<lif)iral'«f p<rfi- 
n;i((». — 

TIk; north w<;»if, hrcf.'M'. \iU-.w fnr*;; 
With ^\<i\t\uii, ma«»>., and *;urrf;nt fa«tf, 

Out. «W<;|;t, f,h<;ir iSf.i-l U> mn. 

W<; «(train<'<l our virion wavf^wanl, 

Wal''|iini( \.\ti', whiU^wins(*'<l f*hifr», 
Till Ml*' Vai{U'! 'rloiI(|« of (\'\<^\MU:t: 

Wra|»(f«'(| (,h«rm in hiiSI c<'\\\i'^>:: 
An<l Mill w<r HtraifM'.'l our virion 

'J'ill, (linim<-r aii'l tnon! difn, 
'V\ii: r<!armos(, wail, a phant^ftri pah;, 

\)\i-i\ flown (Ik; horizon'.^ rim, 

ThiiH, o'«;r fh'; humW )utr\yjiUy 

\)U\ \\u>\\%\i\M of hlood anri war, 
'I'lirous^h tim<;'H fn';liant.«!'l i\'iHfMtrj;H 

lJ<'''<'<lini,', fa<l<; afar, 
'riiiiH o'«;r (.li<; moiiI'h horiz/m, 

Our *(,rif<;'H lanl. s<ha«t(.ly f'-ar, 
l,lk«! all t,li<; ri'M, <lown m<;mory% wM 

\)U\ "(lowly i\\nn\i]><:;ir. 



TO I III'. Ml noli til' I hi: vkK)- 

lUA.S I'OhlH.' 

-■<> kcA-.ti, *>(t f'h'nr thy {^truim, that no ui'uKt 
Of «n);t.h;*t yUr'AV, rmi l/ftHh; w <h;)ay 
The. lAWc.Wkc, nv,ift illuminatinf^ray, 
Wh*;r<;with, O HrU^iauumui auimlhi, 
'i'hy lightning Uff^ir, (^Wdvm i\n: fhrnyt; 

Of t)(ous<ht» I'fof,<«in; (tr, in Jowli^'r 

f')«y, 
Hniif-«;» liumiU-A wcaktu^n to a r^l di*- 
may— 
I A« wwordtnifm »»»if/; t>y on« rhrft turn of 
wri.«»t. 
Y(d, oft tfiat glitf/;ring and r(nu/r)i*iU:m 

Thy lo{(i^; wi<'hJ«i i^? Anf\i\tcA that thf/ii 
tunfnt lake. 
Stiutc j<rjM;io»w lyn;, and )«ing with HrjijJd 
hr*;ath 
By many a \h>.uu\a-A <\('\] and Jthfwlowy 
la'k*-, 
Wh<;n; faun and naia^J wdruh'.r und}»- 
Tnay<;d, 
//ay« of An-a/Jian Iov«;, or ]>HtuU;m 



IIICItA. 

'1% tUK UKK\VA'/M.) 

' >\i y, \)i'iwi-i-ii Ar;?';'iand ,My''fi';na;<»honft 
nalf-v«;ih;d in myrt.h; anri niy^t^irirms 

piti*;, 
'Hii- ivory «|>hitidor» of that, holy ixhrJn*;, 
Wli»;n;in cuthowHrtA, maj';»ti(;, and alon« 
II<-r «cul(»tur<-d hrow with wave-ring lo<^;k« 
o'firhlown, 
A«» if hy'Airn <:l)icr«;ii\ n.tu\ divln<!, 
Smil»;d tli<; ralni godrh-HH of Olympian 
I in*;, 
Oirf, hy aw<;d HiUm(^;, likf; a hW-rcAi xotu-.: 

.Save that mild murmurinj^.H wnuidinj^ 
vajfU'; afirl far. 
From HUppliant wrmiCTi — through frail- 
h<;art<;d i\u:}u\ 
'J'our;h<;d th'' »liy puis*;.'* of that strange 
r<'po<*<!, 
Till the la«t petal rlropf)r;d from '.nti- 
«\oVh rose, 



284 



LATEli POEMS. 



A:ul gleaiueil through twilight, like a 
llawii'ss star 
Tlio ohastonod glory oi proud lioia's 
head : 



BELOW AM) AIIOVE. 

I SEK iu tho forest eoverts 
The sheen of shimmering lights; 

They gleam from the dusky shadows, 
They Hash from the ghostly heights : 

No lights of tho tranquil homestead 
Or the hostel warm are they: 

IJut Marring Uames of the Titan tire 
Whieh stormed through the woods to- 
day. 

Eaeli darts w itli an aimless passion, 

Or sinks into lurid rest 
Like the erest of a woundeil serpent 
drooped 

On the scales of its treacherous breast. 

Let them idly dart and (piiver. 

Or sink into lurid rest — 
Above, like a ehild-sainl's face in heav- 
en. 

There's a sole, sweet star in the west. 

Ah I slowly the earth-lights wither: 
But the star, like a saintly faee. 

Shines on. with the steadfast strength of 
lieaee. 
In its God-appointed place. 



THE u'oonf.Axn craj-f. 

Wi; roam, my love and 1. 

"SUd the rich woodhuul grasses. 
Where, through dense clouds of green- 
ery. 

The softened sunshine passes: 
Rut near a rivulefs lonely wave 
We come half startled, on — a siravel 



We pause, my love and I. 

Each thinking. " Who reposes 
Here, in the forest tranquilly. 

Beneath these sylvan roses ■.'"" 
When, "twixt the wild tlowers" tangled 

Hamc. 
Wind-parted, we bchcM — a name. 

We mark, my love and 1, 

AVith thoughts that swiftly vary. 

Of doubt, surprise, solemnity. 
The tiickering name of " >hiry:"" 

My love's own name! — but tiickering 
tlicr,. 

Each letter burns a hint of fear. 

We shrink, my love and 1, 

Pierced by prescient sorrow, 
"To think, mv sweet I that titon niay'st 
die 

To-night or else to-morrow I " 
Each nuu-nuirs sadly, under breath : 
"O love, malignly watched by death!" 

We turn, my love and 1, 

Erom that strange grave together. 
And o'er our spirits' darkened sky 

Boll mists of mournftd weather; 
With boding grief our hearts are rife — 
Death's shadow steals 'twixt love and 
hfe! 



A < llAnACTEn. 

" The most impenetrable mask for a ma- 
licious design is — well-acted candor."— From 
the French of I>v Larrimiri. 

Yes, madame, I know you Ixnter. far 
better than those can know 

Whose plummet of judginent never is 
droppeil to the tleplhs below: 

Whose test is a snrface-seemuig. the 
glitter of lights that gleam 

With a moment's rainbow lustre on the 
shiftim; face of the stream. 




' We turn, my love and I, 
From tliat strange grave together. 



LYRIC OF ACTION. — BY A GRAVE. 



285 



Because you have bold, blunt manners, 
because you can broadly smile, 

With the devil's own art in veiling your 
infinite gulfs of guile, 

There are some who bring you homage, 
who vow your nature is free 

And frank as the life of siunmcr, when 
fullest on land and sea: 

And yet yoiu' soul is a charnel where 

many a ruined name 
Kots, festering vile and loathsome in 

buriul-sluouds of sliame; 

A sepulchre dai'k, that's crowded with 

ashes of old and young, 
Dead fames you have foully poisoned 

with your pitiless serpent's tongue! 

Beware ! by the (iod above us, who part- 

eth the false from true, 
There's a curse in the future, .snmr- 

where — an ambushed curse for you. 

It ^vill l)urst from the wayside fiercely, 
when least you dream of a blow. 

A tigerish fate in its fury, to rend, and 
t(^ lay you low ! 

But ere it has sucked your heart's blood, 
and stifled your latest breath. 

The thought of your victims, woman! 
will sharpen the sting of death! 



/. vnic OF ACT /ox. 

'Tis the part of a coward to brood 
O'er the past that is withered and 
dead : 
Wliat tliough the heart's roses are ashes 
and dust ? 
What though the heart's music be 

fled ? 
^till shine the grand heavens o'er- 
head, 



Whence the voice of an angel thrills 

clear on the soul, 
" (rird about thee thitie armor, press on 

to the goal!" 

If the faults or the crimes of thy youth 

Are a burden too heavy to J)ear, 
What hop(! can rebloom on the desolate 
wast(! 
Of a jealous and craven despair 
Down, down with the fetters of fear! 
In tin; strength of thy valor and man- 
hood arise. 
With the faith that illumes and the will 
that defies. 

"Too late'.''' through God's infinite 
A\orld, 
From his throne to life's nethermost 
fires, 
" Too lata .' " is a jjliantom that flies at 
the dawn 
Of the sold that r('])ents and aspires. 
If pure thou hast made thy desires. 
There's no height the strong wings of 

inunortals may gain 
Whicli in striving to reach thou shalt 
strive for in vain. 

Then, up to the contest with fate, 

Unbound by the past, which is dead! 
What though the heart's roses are ashes 
and dust ? 
What though the heart's music be 

fled '/ 
Still shine the fair heavens o'erhead; 
And sublime as the seraph who rules in 

tlie sun 
Beams the promise of joy when the con- 
flict is won ! 



BY A GRAVE. 
IN SPKING. 

All, mother! canst thou feel her ? , . . 

spring has come ! 
Birds sing, brooks murmur, woods no 

more are dumb ; 



liSO 



l.ATI'.n I'OllMS. 



And 


iov eaoh grief that vexed thine 
earthly hour. 


.N/.r7.7.M.vc^:. 


Naturo has kissoil thy ^ravol ami lol . . 


An! who t'an tell how strong the tie 




a tlowor. 


Which sulitly binds us. heart to heart. 
Till the dark master. Di'ath. I'omes 


Hon 


wails no ni^litinu'ale against her 


nigh. 




liiorn. 


To wrench our kiiulreil lives apart ? 


r.nt 


lii^e llie incarnate soul of May- 






thisheil morn. 


Then, pondering on the sombre bed. 


Til.' 


niocl<iug-hinl alio\e thy splendor 


Wiierc one we cherished ihuubly 




sings. 


lies. 


Will 


rapturous throat, and upraised 


With pulseless hands, low-suutten head. 




quivering wings; 


And the wan dr».>op of curtained »'yes. 


\h\\i 


drowsed between brief glooms and 


The torpor of the death-sleep cold. 




mollowotl gleams. 


The mystic quiet's awful spell. 


Tho 


sun smiles gently, like a god in 


Whose fathondess silence seems to Imld 




ilreanis; 


Such pathos of supreme faiewcll. 


His 


sai'red light aeross thy place of 






rest . 


Om- clouded spirits throb and reel. 


Steal 


s with the softness of a hand that 


As if some viewless powi'r in air 




bU>ssedI 


Had driven a keen etlu'real steel 

Through (luivering heart-depths of 


Thn 


niagie ministers of spring-tide 


despair'. 


Thy 


graci'. 
gra\t' translignred lifts a radiant 
face. 


Taled is the dream of heavenly graee, 
'Idle jasper sea. the uuwaning calms; 


O'or 


which elusive golden shadows 


We can but mark that breatldess face. 




run. 


Those sightless orbs and folded palms! 


A w: 


ift of wind-wrought dimples in the 






sun; 


A moment since, she softly spake. 
Her soul loolvcd forth still hale and 


Ah: 


if thy soul, that loved all beauty 


clear; 




here. 


Now, who litM- wondnnis sleep can 


May 


yet look earthward from lier holier 


break ? 




sphere. 


And she! where hath she vanished, — 


•Twi 


11 joy to mark, from even those 
heights august. 


w here ".' 


In wliat a maulk' Natuiv wraps thy 


Ah, Christ ! von shape of ice-locked 




dust. 


clay, ' 
Yon fading image, frail and thin, 


Aiul 


still the brown bird rears his poet- 


Touched, as we gaze, by swift decay, 




head. 


Shrivelled without, and wan within, 


Ami 


pours his matchless music o'er the 






dead. 


Wliat is it but an empty husk, 


•Till 


touched and wakened by the mar- 


O'er wliich (at Death's mysterious 




vellous llow. 


kiss) 


I scorn lo hoar a thrilloil hoart throb bo- 


Freed Tsyche soars from doubt and dusk 




low! 


r>eyoud eaith's crund)ling chrysalis".* 



TWO GRAVES. — THE WOULD. 



287 



Ay I ■•iliist to diisti"' — tlie soil slic; liod 
Claiiiis soon lier outworn fleshly dress; 

Hut her true life puts forth, with (iod, 
Fresh blooms of everlaslini^ness! 



Tiro <!i;a\'i:s. 
I. 
Ir jilooms forlornly 'mid wan ocean 
dimes, 
A desolate i^rav<!-m(jinid t>n a dreary 
lea, 
Touehed by sad splendors of gray-misted 
moons. 
Or veiled l)y shivering spray-drifts 
from the sea. 

'riicre, all unmarked, the dim days come 
and go; 
No tendi'i' hand renews its eruml)ling 
tiu-f, 
On whicli the o'erwearicid sea-winds 
faintly blow. 
Blent with far inuiiumings of the 
mournful surf. 

Vaguely tlu; uncompanioned hours flit 

by, 

Wrapped in pale clouds that some- 
times nuitely weep 
Some ghost of Lcithe haunts that hollow 
sky, 

Where even the doubtful noontides 
seem ash'cp, 

Sav(i when auluiinial tempests fiercely 
rise, 
Uaring the harbor-mouth's bL'udv tc^eth 
of rocks, 
AikI like a .Maejiad, with wild hair and 
eyes, 
Kaves from tin; North tlie infuriate 
Equinox. 



Here, peace divine, o'er glimmering 
grove and grass, 
Hallows the sinishine in the noon's 
warm lull: 



Ethereal shadows gently pause, or 
pass. 
Flecking with gold the hill-siopc bcau- 
tifid. 

This grave, all wreathed with flowers 
and glad with spring 
Looks skyward like a half-veiled, 
museful eye, 
Which answers subtly while th(! wood- 
birds sing 
Heaven's smile of foi-ecast immortal- 
ity. 

Can deathly dust pervade a spot so 
sweet ? 
Or hath the form it guarded stolen 
away. 
And ere its hour of ransom, gone to 
meet. 
The unborn soul of Kesurrection Day? 



77/ A' ]VOnLD. 
QIATIJAIXS. 

The world is older than our earliest 
dates; 

All thoughts, all feelings, all desires, all 
fates. 

Were known and tested, long ere 
Adatn's crime 

Set the keen swonl of flame at Eden- 
gates ! 

Billions of years on billions more have 
fled. 

Since first love's kiss a maiden cheek 
turned red; 

Since the first mother imrsed her inno- 
cent babe — 

The first wild mourner wept above his 
dead. 

These ancient clods our vagrant feet dis- 

1)1 ace. 
May once have held tlie loftiest soul of 

grace • 



'iSS 



l.ATEli L'OKMS. 



This iliWoloss ihist that dims our tjaition 

Ilow.'is. 
May oiu'o liaxc sinilotl — a boauloous 

WOUKIU'S t;U'('I 



Wlioso hi'iiiht oiling rifts, luctliinlvs, are 
iiraiui 
^Villl luyslii' liiihis aiul inarxolious 
la*'i's; 



CMdor tliau all man's wis.lom ami liis 

li roams. 
OKlor than all wliioli is, than all whioli 

sooms, 
(.Hir world rolls on, whoro wrappod in 

oloiui-liko tiro, 
riiantasmal, palo. hor aw till iloalh-morn 

uloanis! 



Tin: .1/1 )■ >A ). 

C> sKv! O liioid sky oi May ! 
(.Vor whioh tho lloooy oloiuls liavo 
stolon, 
111 bands snow-whito, ami glimmoring- 
gray, 
Ov hoari-stoopod in a Insiro goldon. 

OskyI that tak'st a thousand moods. 

Ensha»io\vod now. ami now out-boain- 
iiiii, 
Swopt by low winds liko intorludos 

(.H" iinisio 'twixt soft spoils of droaming. 

Typo of tho pool's soul thou art 
In spriiig-timo of his tooniing fanoios, 

Whon hoavonly glamours hrim hislioiirt. 
And hoavonly glory lights his glaaioos; 

As morning's dubious vapors form 
In wavoriug linos and oirolots tondor. 

ruro as an infant's brow, or warm 
With tintiiig-s of a primrose splendor; 

Thus o'or tho poet's soul liis thought 
Tale tii-st as mist-wroaths soaroe ori^ 
ated. 

With tiiv-koon breaths of ardor fraught. 
From radiaiioohorn. to beauty matoil. 

Takes shape liko yonder cloud out- 
spanned 
Above tho nuirmuivus woodland 
spaces, 



Or, morgos in some fanoy \ain. 

Vet rare boyoiul tho worUUing's 
moasuro; 

Some tlolioalo i-loiullot of tho brain 
That molts far up its quivering azure! 



.( /. ri:nM. ricri nt:. 

roMi'osi:i) m:ai; riiK sK.v-ro.vsi\ 

Si:i;: see! 
llow tho shallows steal along, 
lilonding in a golden throng. 

Softly, lovingly: 
From oaoli mossed and (\naint tree-eol- 

nnui. 
^tretohod toward the dimpling river. 

llow they quiver I 
While in low, pat hot io tone 
Twilight's herald-breeze is blown 

Down tho sun!>ol solemn I 

Hoar! hear! 
Propped from gray mists, oiroliiig high, 
j The soa-w ending eurlew 's ory, 
I Strangely wild and drear; 

I Eohoed by a voice that thrills iis. 
I From the murmurous verge of ocean — 
i A'oice that tills us 

i With a sense of mystery old. 
j And vague memories which enfold 

Many a woiiil emotion. 

I 

I Turn! turn! 

I From yon loftier clond-laml dun; 
! Mark what splendors of tho sun 
AVestwanl throb and burn — 
Burn as if some glorious augol 
Klessod tho air and land and river 

With his mute evangel: 
All things own so rieh a grace 
That ill Heaven's divine embrace 
F.arth seems clasped forever! 



LAMIA rX VEILED. — RACHEL. 



289 



LAMIA USVEILIlh. 

IIei{ stf'p is soft as a fay's footfall, 
And Ikt eyes arc wonderful founts of 
bl u«; ; 
liiit I've seen that small foot spurning 
liearts, 
And tli<- soul tliat liurns so strangely 
til 10 ugh 

Those orljs of blue, 
Ol Is't a liiiiiian soul at all ? 

I never have gazed on their elouflK-ss 
light, 
Hut there came a ehill to my ijlood and 
brain. 
And tlieir ominous lieauty hath struck 
me duml; 
With a seeret and naineless ])ain: 
Ay, blood and brain 
CJrew cold as with spflls of a witeh's 
blight. 

is't trufr ? Can it be that a mortal 
frame 
Of the tenderest mould, of the fairest 
grace. 
May holil but a serpent's soul in sooth ? 
That the white; and red of the daintiest 
faee 

May mask tlie trace 
Of subtle guile, that sliall wake to 
flamt; 

And smite with the sting of a jioisoned 
jest, 
Or the sudden flashing of rh^adly 
scorn, 
It it be. 1 know that your riiarniian 
Ihi'iv, 
In liii- fragile grace, is a Lamia, }»orn 
To blight tli(; morn 
Of the passion that dings to her faithless 
Ijreast ! 

Why. look I As we s])eak, she has turned 
her wiles 
()\\ the gilded s\(joer her ey(;s had 
songlit. 



While you were steeped in the roseate 
■ gulf 
Of a sweet, voluptuous tliought: 
S<>iii(i loves an; bought. 
And you'll yearn in vain for her 'wilder- 
ing smiles. 

From this night fortli, until i)lacid and 

meek, 
(Oh I meek as a saint, as an angel bland I) 
Witli a faint rose flashing her brow and 

cheek, 
She whispers, " Adij-.u! I inUHt. (j'lxc my 

IkiikI, 

At tliJi heart's commruid. 
IVin o, vorlliicr love; you hoxe only to 

Hf'J± ! " 



li AC II El.. 
J.\S( I!II!i;i) TO .MI'.S. M. !>., 0|- OKOKOIA. 

"A more desolate I'laehel than she of old, 
because, although her children 'are not,' yet 
the fountain of her tears is sealed." 

TnK wan September moonbeams, strug- 
gling down 
Through the gray clouds upon her des- 

olatt; head, 
The coldness of their muflled radiance 
she.l 
Faintly above her like a spectral crown: 

So. glimmering ghostlike in tlie dreary 
liglit, 
iif'counting her strange sorrows o'er 

and o'er, 
liei' words rang hollow as far waves 
ashoi-e 
llolied througli tlie sfnnljre void of wind- 
less night. 

Nor in lier mortal weakness could she win 
Even l>rief redemption from the soul's 

e(!li])se. 
She looked like suffering i'atienee, on 
M'hose lips 
Oold lingers press to keep the wild grief 



l!!»0 



l.ATKh' 1'oi:ms. 



Suildi'iilx on till' luilliosaiiil llu> woo 
Oi llial sail \ isiou 'moko ihi- i;lool'iil 

noise 
From llu> noar plaviironml ol lililho 
i^irls anil boys, 
Thioniili shine and ^liadow liui r> in.;i to 
and tro. 

A wi-arier sliade I lie iiallid laee t>'er- 
iM'ossed ; 
She shiviM'ed. droopinu; Imi thiiiuuli 

llowei'v liars 
Of ihe iiuK' irellis .>iui;^hl llie disiani 
siars, 
Suyinji. low: " W'lurc ^hrcll in Innrcii 
nil/ locci( kihI lost } 

Pear (MuisI, I thought, if soft and inih- 
t'ul, tliou 
Still rt>i.uii"si hevonil us.— ah I assna;;e 

the pain 
Of this woi'ii soul, more laden than 
luM's of "Nain; 
Ope thy deep heavens foroneswifl nio- 
nient now ; 

And. while her very heait-tlii'ohs seem 
loeease 
l'\>r laptnre, let those lumuerin^ eyes 

l.ehold 
Her li»i heloxed irausliLiured ill thy 
fold. 
Oiowned with the palm, walkin:^ the 
lields of peaee! 



•niF N.YOir .i/As.sp.V(JrA\s. 

lloiiioateti to John liroonlenf Wliittiov iu\(l 
lloury Wmlswoi'tli Longfellow, witli I'en i>i>v- 
trnits of l>o(l«. 

Tmk \>ine-ti'i>es lift their datU l>t>w ildered 

eyes — 
Or so I deem — np to tlie clouded skies; 
No breeze, no faintest breeze, is heard 

to blow : 
In wizard silenee falls the windless 

snow. 



It falls in breezeless ipiiet, slianu.'lv 

still; 
"Seapes (he dulled pane, but loads the 

shelleriui;' sill. 
AVilh eurions hand the tli>eey llakes 1 

n\ould, 
Aiul draw them inwanl. rouudt'd, from 

Iheeold. 

'['he LililleriuL; hall thai ehills m\ lini;er- 

lips 
1 hold a niouu'Ul's spaee ti> U>\ in;; lips; 
For from the northward these pure 

snow (lakes v anie. 
And !.i> /((// loueli I heir eolduess thrills 

like tlame. 

(>uil>reailu-d from Inmiuons memories 

nursed apart, 
Oeei* ill tlie veiled uilj/tnin of Ihe heart, 
ThiMypoof Norland di>arlli siieh snows 

may he: 
'l"he> hriiii; I he soul of smnmer's waruuh 

lo me. 

l>elu>ldin!; lluMii, in mauieal li^ht e\- 

\iands 
The I'liaiiiiefnl eharm thai erow us the 

northern lands. 
And a f;iir p;isi 1 deemt>d a i^lory tied 
routes haeU, with luippy suushino 

ronuil its he;id. 

For .\riel fancy lakes her airiest lliu'lits 
'To p;iss once more o"er 1 himpshire's 

momUain heii;hls. 
To view ihe llow er-hriiihl p;isluivs 

bloom in i;iaee 
r>y many :i lowering; hill-side's swarthy 

base; 

The fruilful farms, the enelumted vales, 
to V iew , 

.\nd the eoy monm;uu lakes' trauseen- 
deul blue. 

Ov llash of sea-waves up llie ihuuderous 
dune. 

With wan sails wliiteuiuu in the mid- 
night moon; 



THE HNU W-MEHHENGKJiS. 



■lUl 



The catara<,t front of sU>rin, malignly And many a cool, ft&hii »irctch of cul- 

rif(; I tur<;il Jasvii, 

With dcallilcss iastiiicts of ri(;)iio)iia(! 'iou'-lx^d hy tli<; ii<;H\nu',hH of tlic crystal 
«trif<', rJawn, 

Or, in siiy r;oiitrast, down a hiia^lcd dcU, ; Sloped to tin- scu, wlios'; lau^liinj; wat^^rs 

The riviii<;t linkliiig hJ«' an Alpine i )n<'<;t 

|,< )!• I About the iinroix-d vir.'in's ro-y f<-<-t. 




'■'Jo J/.I-- ■,!.■■■- :,.',,•- <, ' I J i;mi.i.-ii.;'- - inoii i, ■ ;i , i; i]'-i;::iilB, 

Th'; friiilfiil farm-, tli<; ftiic.tiniiU-A vhUih, t/i vi<;w, 
AjuI th<5 '^'^y iiiouuUiiii lak<;(-' iraiiw^iidejit blu<;." 



roo.inH, 
And fi/lil. it loHt n':ar ii.ort.h':ni. /ij-"it>i 
and hoinCH. 

Thcs*; tropic veins still own th'-ir kin- 
dred heat, 

And tlioughts of tliee, my cherished 
South, are sweet — 

ilounifiilly sweet — and wed to memories 
vast, 

Higli-hovering still o'er thy majestic 
jjast. 

But a new epoch greets as: with it blends 
The voice of ancient foes now changed 

to friends. 
Ah I who wonld friendship's outstretf;hed 

hand despise. 
Or mock the kindling light in generous 

eyes ? 



So, 'neath the Quaker-poet's tranqtiil 

roof. 
From all diill dis^rords of the world aloof, 
I sit once more, and measure*! converse 

hoM 
With him whose noisier thoughts are 

rhythmic gold; 

Sw his deep brows half puckered in a 

knot 
O'er some hard [problem of our mortal 

lot, 
()r a dream soft as May »vinds of the 

soutli 
Waft a girl's sweetness round his firrn-set 

mouth. 

Or should lie deem wrong threats the 

public weal, 
Lol the whole man seems girt wiUi 

flashing steel; 



'202 



LATER POEMS. 



His •ilanco a swoitl Ihnist. aiul his words 

of iro 
Like llunulcr-Ioiu's t'rmn soiuooKl propli- 

01 "s i\iv. 



(\mrtly vol natural, comrailo inool 1\>r 

kilius, 
ilul loud of honioliosl thoughts auil 

iiouioliosl thiuu's. 



Or bv llu> hoailh-slono w l\<'u llio liay is 

douo. 
Mark, swil'llx lauucliod, a sudden slial't 

o( tun; 
'I'ho sliori (|uii'k lauj;h. thosuiailly siuit- 

lou knot's. 
And ail suro lokous of a mind at oaso. 

l>isooiaiiuLC wliioli, l>v >ouu' uivslorii>us 

law, 
Noar to his soal two liousoliold favof- 

itos thaw. 
Till on hor n\astor\s shouldors, slv and 

slook. 
(iriuialkiu. uiountinn;', rubs his furi'owod 

ohook; 

^Vhilo tonior Pick, douiod all words to 

rail, 
Snarls as lu> shakos a short protostinjitail. 
Ihit with shrowil oyos says, plain as plain 

oan bo. 
" l)roi> that si 1/ cat. riii worthur J'ltr 

i/ian .N'/a.'' 

Aud ho who lovos all lowliost livos to 

ploaso, 
C\>noiliatos soon his dmnb Diojit'nos, 
AVho in rot urn his iiariuoiif nips with 

I'aro, 
And dra.us tho invt out, to tako llu> air. 

liod's iunooout ponsionors in tho wood- 
lands dint, 

Tho Holds a>id pastures, know aud trust 
iu him; 

Aud iu tluir lovo his louolv heart is 
I'lessed, 

Our pure, halo-uiiuded Cowper of the 
West : 

Tho seeno is ohani;od ; and now 1 stand 

auain 
l>y i>no, the eordial prineoi^f kiudly meu. 



A pi>ot toi). iu whoso warm brain and 

breast 
What birds of sonu, have tilled a j^oldeu 

nest. 
Till iu soul's summer prime their wiu^i's 

unfurled. 
Have made Areadian half tho iistoning 

world. 

Around w liosi- eve soiui' railiaut j;raei> o( 

moru 
ISiuilos lik(" the ilow-liuhl on a u\ouutaiu 

tlioru. 
IMilhely liebeais Time's i'u\ious load to- 

' .lay: 
Ah! tho jiroou heart o'ertops the head of 

uray. 

Alert as vouth, with \ivid, various 

talk 
lie will's the wax iluouuh i^roNO and j^ar- 

deu walk, 
Fair tlowers u\it rained, trees frauuht. 

w ith woildod limos. 
Past tho oool oopso ami willowy gUido ho 

lovos. 

lloro jiloams iniu>euous of a miriliful 

mood 
Tulse like mild tire-tlies ilow u a d.usky 

wtunl, 
Ch' keener spi-oeh (his leonine head uu- 

bi>wed) 
^>poeds lijihtuiuii-elear fiom lhi>nj;ht's 

o'orshadow iu^ iloud. 

O deep blue eyes! O voiee as woman's 

low : 

O lirm while hand, with kindliest 

w armlh auKtw I 
O u\auly form, and frank, swihM, ei>urto- 

ous unon, 
Kellox of nuisofnl days and i\i:;hts se- 
rene I 



10 A. n. ^TELllEMi.— 'niE KSC HASTE b MJUliOJl. 2'J'd 



Still are yo noar rnc, vivid, actual still, 
llci(; in riiy ioiioly fastness on tin; hill; 
Nor cun yi; wam; till coM my iifr'-l^lood 

flows, 
Ami fiincy fiuli;H i;i l(;i:liii;^"s last n-jiosc. 

What: snowing yet? 'J'lie landscape 

waxes [lale; 
Koiitid the mute lie;iv<!n there lianj^s a 

(liiiveriiif^ veil, 
'riiroii,i,'h wliose frail woof Ilk'-, silent 

shuttles go 
The glaneing {,'l;uiioius of llie ^litleiiii</ 

snow. 

^'i:s, fjillin;^ still, whili- ioijil M-iiii-ni- 

branee stirs 
In these Wiin-faee/l, Tuiwonted niessen- 

j^ers. 
Dumh stoiin I oiitjioui' your ai'etie heart's 

(h'siie! 
\'oiir flakes lo me se(M:i ■fiusheil witli 

faiiy fire I 



TO Ai.i:s.\\/)/:ii jr. st 1:1- miss. 
Last of a stalwart time ami i-aee f^fjne 

by, 

That simple, stately, (Joil-apiiointed 

ijand, 
Who wroii;^lit alone Km j^ioiify tlu-ir 

laud, 
Willi li\i's huilt lii^li ou truth's elrTuity, 
While jilaeenuMi ]>lot, while IJalten-rs 

fawn or lie, 
And foul corruptions, wave on wave, 

expand, 
1 see, thee I'isi-, staiidess of heart as 

hand, 
O man of li'omaii tlioui,dit anil liidiant 

'•y-! 

'i"hrouj;li thy frail foini, tlnrc iturn 

divinely sti'(jng 
'J'he anli(|ue, virtues of a worthier day; 
Thy soul is i^oldi n. if thy head he .gray. 
No years eau uork that lofty nature 

wrong : 



Th«y set to concords of ethereal song 
A life gi'own liolier on its heavenward 
way. 



THE KSCIIASri.l) Mll:noi!. 
ir.oM TJiK i'i;i;>i.\.v. 

\ViiAr time o'er I'ersia ruled that iip- 
liglit Khan 

Khosru the, (;ooil, in Shiraz lived a 
mail, 

A heggar-earle, to whose rough hands 
were given — 

I know n(it how — a mirror clear as 
heaven 

C)n heaiit(;oiis, vernal mornings, and 
more bright 

'I'liMii streamlets sparkling in midsum- 
mer's light; 

And, strange to say, whoso should !of)k 
therein, 

Though uglier than a nightmare dream 
of sill, 

Grew comely as the Imeliest shajKiS we 
know; 

TluMvhile — oh, wonder I a fair foini and 
face 

r'aiight straightway somewhat of celes- 
tial grace. 

Where'er in twilight dusk, or noontide 

glow 
With suifl, (inn pace or footstep sad 

and slf^w. 
Where'er he; walked through the broad 

land of palms, 
Or yet his Hits unclosed to plead for 

alms, 
The beggar held his mystic treasiu'e 

high 
'J'o glass the forms of those who passed 

him liy ; 
And all who came within that marvel's 

i'ang<;, 
Paused spell-boinid by the strangely-daz- 
zling cliange; 



ii94 



LATER POEMS. 



Lords, ladies, gazed! the prospect 
pleased them well ; 

'•All, heavens!'' they sighed, '"how 
irresistible! "' 

E'en the coarse hag, t'oid, wrinkled, and 
unclean. 

Beamed like a blushing virgin of six- 
teen. 

Hearts are transformed with faces ; out- 
ward beauty 

Seems to make iiuick the inward sense 
of duty; 

For none, of all the charmed throng that 
pass 

Eevivilieil within the fairy glass, 

But pours upon the beggar pence with 
praise. 

Invoking on his head long, golden days. 

And every joy thr.t lights our mortal 
ways. 

In vain! — the beggar sickened. AVhile 

he lay 
In death's cold shadow, prostrate and 

forlorn. 
He bade his wife call to him, on a morn, 
His only son: "Guard well when 1 am 

dead," 
Feebly, with lluttering breath, the old 

man said; 
" This mystic glass, Avhereby great 

things are won — 
Be shrewd, be watchful; do as I have 

don(\ 
And thou slialt prosper likewise, O my 

son! " 

He took the precious gift — that brain- 
less wight — 

But, scorning to employ its xwwers 
aright, 

Ueturned all pale and penniless at night. 

''Fool!" cried the angry father, "well 

1 guess 
AVhy thus thou seek'st mo, pale and 

penniless : 
O stupid dolt! vain peacock! arrant ass! 



Tlion liitst irtih-litil (til ijiti/ tliiiic on-n 

fact' ill t/iv ;//((.s,s ,• 
Go to! this foolish fruit of idle pride 
No human heart hath ever satisfied. 
Far less an empty pocket lined with 

gold ; 
Thy coxcondj pate to base self-love is 

sold ! 
Yet hearken once again: he's niih/ irise 
Who dtijx-s the world tliruiKjh ,//((//rr//'.s 

mirrored lies ; 
But pKsf (ill terms of sconi the insensate 

elf 
Who Iiolds ils (jldss tlierein to riew — 

hiuisilt'!" 



THE IMPJUSOXED SEA-WINDS. 

VoicKs of strange sea breezes cauglit. 
Half tangled in the pine-tree tall. 

With ocean's tenderest music fraught, 
Serenely rise, and sweetly fall. 

They charm the lids of wearied eyes. 
And all the dreamy senses bless 

With breath of wave-born symphonies. 
And balms of nuld forget fulness, 

'Till o'er the fragrant calms of peace, 
My soul, scarce moved, benignly 
glides, 

Or in all sorrows' soft surcease. 

Bocks tranced on the phantom tides: 

But still those faint sea voices speak. 

Those prisoned sea winds rise and fall. 
The ghost of sea foam sweeps my t'heek, 

And the sea's mystery sighs thi\)ugh 
all. 



BLANCHE AND NELL. 
A r.ALI.AI>. 

On, Blanche is a city lady, 

Bedecked in her silks and lace: 

She walks with the mien of a stately 
queen. 
And a queen's imperious grace. 



THE DARK. 



295 



IJut Xell is a country niaiucii, 
Her dress from tlie fannslead loom: 

Her step is free as a breeze al sea, 
And her face is a rose in bloom. 

The house of Blanche is a marvel 
Of marble from base to dome; 

It hath all things fair, and costly and 
rare, 
But alas! it is not — home! 

Nell lives in a lonely cottage 

On the shores of a wave-washed isle; 
And the life she leads with its loving 
deeds 

The angels behold and smile. 

Blanche finds her palace a prison, 
And oft, through the dreaiy years, 

In her burdened breast there is sad un- 
rest, 
And her eyes are dimmed with tears. 

But to Nell her toils are pastime, 

(Though never till niglit they cease); 

And her soul's afloat like a buoyant 
boat 
On the crystal tides of peace. 

Ah I Blanche hath many a lover, 
But she broodeth o'er old regret; 

The shy, sweet red from her cheek is 
fled 
For the star of her heart has set. 

Fair Nell! but a single lover 

Hath she in the wide, wide world; 

Yet warmly apart in her glowing heart 
Love bides, with his pinions furled. 

To Blanche; all life seems shadowed. 
And she but a ghost therein; 

Thro' the misty gray of her autumn 
day 
Steal voices of grief and sin. 

To Xell all life is sunshine. 

All earth like a fairy sod. 
Where the roses grow, and the violets 
blow. 

In the softest breatli of God. 



What meaneth this mighty contrast 
Of lives that wc; meet and mark ? 

One bright as the flowers from May-tide 
showers, 
One rayless, sombre, and dark ? 

O, folly of mortal wisdom. 

That neither will break nor bow. 

That riddle hath vexed the thought per- 
plexed 
Of millions of souls ere now! 

O, folly of mortal wisdom ! 
From your guesses what good can 
come ? 
We can learn no more than the wise of 
yore; 
'Tis better to trust, and — be dumb! 



THE DARK. 
A FANTASY. 

The passionless twilight slowly fades 
Beyond the gray, grim woodland glades, 
Till now, with mournful eyes, I mark 
The approacliing dark: 

A clouded spirit, borne from far. 
Whose sombre front no delicate star 
Brightens, — to tint with silvery light 
Her realms of night : 

An awful spirit! her pale lips 
Low whispering down the drear eclipse, 
Send thro' those rayless spaces chill 
An ominous thrill: 

Her tongue's strange language none 

may know; 
We only feel it ebb and flow 
In murmurs of half-muffled sighs, 
And vague replies : 

All hail I akin to me thou art, 
Dim angel of the veilerl heart — 
Ah I wrap me close, ah! fold me deep! 
1 fain would sleep I 



'296 



LATER FOEMS. 



ly THE sTrj)io. 

Yov walk my studio's inoiU'st round, 
With slowly supercilious air; 

AVliilo in oavh lifted eyebrow lurks. 
The keenness of an ambushed sneer. 

You lift your i;lass. and sean the walls, 
r>< tircoi the pictures — with a glance 

Which takes the curtained drapery in. 
Hut views the art-work all askance: 

A sigh ! a shriigl and then you turn 
Homeward — your judgment lixed as 
fate — 

The labors of a life-time gauged, 
tjerenely in your shallow pate! 



ir.isifiMrrox: 

Foil. 22. 17;?2. 

Bright natal morn! what face appears 
Beyond the rolling mist of years ? — 
A face whose loftiest traits combine 
All virtues of a stainless line 

Passed from leal sire to loyal son; 
The face of him whose steadfast zeal 
Drew harmonies of law and right 
From chaos and anarchic night: 
Who with a power serene as Fate's 
Wrought from rude honles of turbu- 
lent States 
The grandeur of oiu' commonweal: — 
All hail! all hail! to Washington! 

Freedom he wooed in such brave guise, 
3Ieu gazing in her luminous eyes 
Beheld all heaven reflected shine 
Far down those sapphire orbs divine: 

And, worshipped her so chastely won; 
If still she panted, fresh from strife. 

And blood-stains tlecked her gar- 
ment's rim. 

They could not make its whiteness 
dim; 

For, shed by hearts sublimely true. 

Such drops are changed to sacred dew. 
Theclirismof patriot light and life, — 

Baptizing first our Washington. 



For cloudless years, benignant still. 
This Freedom worked her bounteous 

will; — 
Mingling with homespun man and maid. 
Her pale cheek caught a browner shaile 

In fields where harvest toils were done; 
To theirs slie tuned her rhythmic 

tongue 
\'eiling in jiart her goddess-mieu: 
The woman smiled above theciueen; 
While stati(med always by her side, 
Men saw — as bridegroom near his bi-ide. 
(O bride, forever fair and young!) — 

Her chosen hero — Washington! 

She wove for him a civic crown; 
She made so pure his hale renown. 

All glories of the antiiiue days. 
Waned in the clear, innnaculate lilaze 

I'lHU'ed fi'om his nature's noontide 
>un; 
No slave of ft)lly's catchword school. 

His instincts proud of blood and race 

She tempered with swet>t. human 
grace. 
Till his broad being's rounded flow 

Sea-like, embraced the high and low . 
Swayed by the goKh'U-sceptred rule. 

The etptal w ill of Washington. 

His influence spread so wide and deep. 
Earth's fettered millions stirred in sleep: 
And nnu'uuu-s born of wakening tiame 
On the wild winds of twilight came 

From lands by despot-swarms o'errun; 
They too would w in the priceless boon 

Of Freedom's dower; — they too 
w duld see. 

And clasp the robes of Liberty; 

But. throned within the virgin west. 
She heard them not; — she loved to rest 
In dew-lit dawn and tranquil noon. 

Next the strong heart of Washington! 

Through shower and sun the seasons 

rolled. 
November's gray and April's gold; 
They only I'aised (more cahnly grand) 
His genius of supreme command, 



IN AMBUSIL— SOUTH CAROLINA, ETC. 



29', 



Whose course, in blood and wi'atli l^e- 

Grew f^entler, as tlie inellowin;^ lights 
Of peace iiiaih; Itcaiiteotis sky and sod; 
His evenini^ came; — he walked with 
God ; 
And ilown life's gradual sunset-slope, 
lilt heaiketn;d to a heav(uily hoiic; — 
" Look up! behold the fadeless heights 
Which ris(! to greet thee, — Washing- 
ton!" 

lie dies! tlie nations holil their breath! 

lie dies! but is he thrall to Death ? — 

Thoasands who rpiatt' earth's sunshine 
free, 

Are less alive on eartli than lie; 
Lacking that power which thrills 
through none 

But God's elect, that winged spell 

Which lik<! miraculous lightning darts 
Electric to all noble hearts; — 
Flashed from his soul's subliiuer 

sphere, 
'Tis still a matchless influence here! 

Majestic spirit! all is well, 
Where'er thou rulest, — Washington ! 



/X A.\f/lfJS/f. 

Tiip; crescent moon, with ]»a]lid glow. 
Swept fjackward like a bended bow: . 
Across, a shaft of phantom light 
Thrilled, like an arrow winged for 
flight. 

Just when that flickering shaft was 

aimi'd 
Venus in mellow radiance flamed. 
Unmindful of the treacherous dart 
Which seemed upreared to pierce her 

heart; 

For, fain to smite her through and 

through, 
Dian lay ambushed in the blue: 
Half veiled from sight, still, still below, 
She aimed her shaft, she clasped her 

bow. 



For ever thus, since time was born. 
Cold virtue points Uer shaft of scorn 
At passionate love, in whose warm 

beam 
Uer own but seems a crescent dream. 



SOU '17/ CAHOIJNA TO THE ST A TEH 
OF THE XOIiTIL- 

ESI'KCIALLY TO TIIOSK THAT FOHMKIJ A 
I'AIiT OF THE OlilOI.VAI. TIlIIiTKEX. 

JJcdicalcA to Hits Excellency , Wadi; Hmniiton. 

1 J.ii T these hands with iron fetters 
bandi'd : 
Beneath the scornful sunlight and cold 
stars 
I rear my once imperial forehead 
branded 
By alien shame's immedicable scars; 
Like some pale captive, shunned by all 
the nations, 
I crouch unpitied, quivering and 
apart — 
Laden with countless woes and desola- 
tions. 
The lif(!-blood freezing round a broken 
heart! 

About my feet, splashed red with blooil 
of slaughters. 
My children gathering in wild, mourn- 
ful throngs; 

Despairing sons, frail infants, stricken 
•laughters. 
Rehearse the awful burdiMi of their 
wrongs ; 

Vain is their cry, and worse than vain 
tlieir pleading: 



• TTiis Poem wa« comp<)Hf;d at a period when 
it Heeiried as if all the horrors of rnisgovern- 
riient, so graphically depicted by Pike in his 
" I'rnHtrute State," would be perpetuated in 
South Carolina. 

It wan a figniflcaiit and terrible epoch; a 
time American Htatesmen would do well to 
remember occasionally as a warning against 
patchwork political re-constructions. 



til)8 



LA TKR L'OEMS. 



I turn from stormy breasts, from 
yoarning eyes, 
To mark whoro Freedom's outraged form 
reeeding, 

Wani'S in chill shadow down the mid- 
night skies I 

1 wooed her onee in wild tempestuous 
places. 
The purple vintage of my soul out- 
poured. 
To win and keep her unrestrained eni- 
braoi's. 
What time the olive-crown o'ertopped 
the sword; 
()! northmen, with your gallant heroes 
blending, 
ISline, in old years, for this sweet god- 
dess died; 
l>ut now — ah! shame, all other shame 
transcending! 
Your pitiless hands have torn hor 
from my sid(\ 

What ! 'tis a ti/nDit-parti/sfreacJicrous 
action — 
Your liaiul is clean, your conscience 
clear, ye siyh ; 
Ay! but ere now your sires had throt- 
tled faction. 
Or, pealed o'er half the world their 
battle-cry; 
Its voice outrung from solenni mountain- 
passes 
Swept by wild storm-winds of the At- 
lantic strand. 
To where the swart Sierras' sidlen 
grasses. 
Droop in low languors of the sunset- 
land! 

Never, since earthly States began their 
story, 
Ilath any sutfered, bided, borne like 
me : 
At last, recalling all mine ancient glory. 
I vowed my fettered commonwealth to 
free : 



Even' at the thought, beside the pros- 
trate colunui 
Of chartered rights, which blasted lay 
and dim — 
I^prose my noblest son with purpose sol- 
iMun. 
While, host on host, his l)rethren fol- 
lowed liini : 

^■ 
II ron</, grasped by truth, arraigned by 

law, (whose sober 

iSIajestic mandates rule o'er change 
and time) — 
Smit by the ballot, like some flushed Oc- 
tober, 

T?eeled in the autunni rankness of his 
crime; 
Struck, tortured, pierced — but not a 
blow returning. 

The steadfast phalanx of my honored 
braves 
Planted their bloodless flag where sun- 
rise burning, 

Flashed a new splendor o'er our mar- 
tyrs' graves! 

What then ? O, sister States ! what wel- 
come omen 
Of love and concord crossed our 
brightening blue. 
The foes we vanquished, are they not 
yonr foemen. 
Our laws upheld, your sacred safe- 
guards, too ? 
Yet scarce had victory crowned our 
grand endiwvor. 
And peace crept out from shadowy 
glooms remote — 
Than — as if bared to blast all hope for- 
ever, 
Your tyrant's sword shone glittering 
at my throat ! 

Once more my bursting chains were re- 

imited, 
Once more barbarian plaudits wildly 

nuig 
O'er the last promise of deliverance 

blighted. 



THE .^TlUCKEy HUUTU TO THE NORTH. 



299 



Tho prostrate purpose, an.l the palsi.Ml When old sore-cankering woMnds that 



toniriie: 



pierced and .stiniL 



Ah. tailldess sisters, nealh my swift ; ThrobI.e.l with their first.' n.a.l, Irverons 



undoing, 

IVers th(! hlacl< presage of your wrath 
to come; 
Above your heads are signal clouds of 
ruin, 
Whose lightnings flasji, whose thun- 
dei-s are not dumb I 

There towers a judgment-seat beyond 
our seeing; 
Thei-e lives a Judge, w liom none can 
hriljc! or blind; 
Before whose dread decive, yoni- spiiit 
fleeing, 
May rea]) the whirlwind, having sown 
the wind; 



pain no longei-, 

While tli(! fail' future spake with flat- 
tering tongue; 
When once, once more she felt her pulses 
beating 

To rhythms of healthful joy and brave 
desire: 
Lo! lound her doomed horizon daiklv 
meeting, 

A jtall of blood-ivd vajioi-s veined with 
lire! 

<)! ghastly portent of fasl-eoming s(,r- 
rowsl 
Of doom thai bhisls the i,loo,| and 
blights the breath. 



1, in that dayof justice, fierce and torrid. Kobs youtirand manhood "of all ...Ideu 
V\ lien blood — y/o(()- blood — oiupoin-s 
like poisoned wine, 

PulnHiKj I,, Ihrsc rlndncl limhs, //,;,■, 



hljlsh-,1 fnn'li,-il,l 

Mdi) ii,(i<-l.- i/(,iir mill, as y/e invrked at 

mi III ! 



THE srn/(7</:\\ s()CTi[ TO Tin.: 

.\ on Til. 
[Dcclicated tu Oliver Wrmlell Holmes.] 

"W<^ai-.' thinkii.fr a great deal atwmt the 
poor fevr-strickrn cities of the Soutli, and all 
ContrilnUingaeeonling to our means for their 
relief. Every morning as the paper come.s, 
the first question is 'What is the last ac- 
(!ount from ^rempllis, (Jrenada, and New 
Orleans.'" — yavmc/ from n priimtc 1,'tlrr nf 
Dr. Il„hius. ■' 

Wmi;.\ nuhful tini*^ the Sotitirs memor- 
ial i)laces — 



morrows — 
And life's clear goblet l)rims with 
winc! of death! — 
<)! swiftfiilfilmentof thisportent dreary! 
<)! nightmare ride of ruin, racked by 
fears. 
Heartbroken wail, and solenni mi.sY'rcrc, 
Imperious anguish, and soul-nielting 
tears! 
<)! faith, thrust downward from celestial 
splendors. 
()! love gi-ief-boiuid, with palely-mur- 
nnirous mouth! 
O! agonized by Wio's supreme surren- 
ders — 
Beliold her now — tlie scourged and 
snfl'ering South! 

No l)alm in (iilead? nay. but while h(»r 
forehead 
Pallid and droojang, lies in foulest dust, 



II,.,. 1, „ , , , -"•■■>• """'"">'i'inj4, in;s 111 luuiesi oust, 

11.. lutoes ,ir,aves-had wreathed in There .steals across the desolate .spaces 



grass and flowers; 
WlKMi Peace ethereal, crown.'d by all hei 
graces. 



torrid 

A voice of manful cheer and heavenly 
trust. 



Keturne.1 to tnake more bright the .V Jiand redeenung bn>aks the frozen 



sunuuer hours; 



starkness 



When doubtful hearts revived, and Of palsi.'d nerve, and dull, de.spondent 

hones .r..ows.ro„.rer: I 1,,.^,;,,. 



300 



LATER POEMS. 



liolls back the curtain of malignant 

darkness, 
And shows tlie eternal blue of heaven 

again — 
Revealing there, o'er worlds convulsed 

and shaken, 
That face whose mystic tenderness 

enticed 
To hope new-born earth's lost bereaved, 

forsaken ! 
Ah ! still beyond the tempest smiles the 

Christ! 

Whose voice? Whose hand ? Oh, thanks, 
divinest Master, 
Thanks for those grand emotions 
which impart 
Grace to the North to feel the South' s 
disaster, 
The .South to bow with touched and 
cordial heart! 
Now, now at last the links which war 
had broken 
Are welded fast, at mercy's charmed 
commands ; 
Now, now at last the magic words are 
spoken 
Wliich blend in one two long-divided 
lands! 
O North ! you came with warrior strife 
and clangor; 
Yon left our South one gory burial 
ground ; 
But love, more potent than your haughti- 
est anger. 
Subdues tlie souls which hate could 
only wound ! 



THE RETURN OF PEACE. 

[Written by request of the committee of 
arrangements, for the opening ceremonies of 
the luternatioual Cotton Exposition, in At^ 
lanta, Georgia, Oct. 5, 1881. 

I HAD a vision at that mystic hour, 
When in the ebon garden of the Night, 

Blooms the Cimmerian flower 
Of doubt and darkness, cowering from 
the light. 



I seemed to stand on a vast lonely 
height, 
Above a city ravished and overthrown, 
The air about me one long lingering 
moan 
Of lamentation like a dreary sea 
Scourged by the storm to nunniurous 
weariness ; 
Then, from dim levels of mist-folded 
ground 
Borne upward suddenly. 
Burst the deep-rolling stress 

Of jubilant drums, blent with the sil- 
very sound 
Of long-drawn bugle notes — the clash of 
swords 
(Outflashed by alien lords) — 
And warrior-voices wild with victory. 

They could not quell the grieved and 
shuddering air. 

That breathed about me its forlorn de- 
spair : 

It almost seemed as if stern Triumph 
sped 

To one whose hopes were dead. 

And flaunting there his fortune's ruddier 
grace, 

Smote — with a taunt — wan Misery in 
the face! 

Lo ! far away, 
(For now my dream grows clear as lu- 
minous day,) 
The victor's camp-fires gird the city 

round ; 
But she, unrobed, discrowned — 
A new Andromeda, beside the main 
Of her own passionate pain ; 
Bowed, naked, .shivering low — 
Veils the soft gleam of melancholy eyes, 

Yet lovelier in their woe, — 
Alike from hopeless earth and hopeless 

skies. 
No Perseus, for her sake, serenely fleet. 
Shall cleave the heavens with winged 
and shining feet: — 
Ah me ! the maid is lost — 
For sorrow, like keen frost 



THE RETURN OF PEACE. 



301 



Shall eat iiilo her hoing's anguished 

core — 
Atlanta (not Andromeda in this), 
"What outside helper can hriug back her 

bliss ? 
Can re-illume, beyond its storm-built 

bar, 
Her youth's auroral star, 
Or wake the aspiring heart that sleejis 

forever more. 

O! lying prophet of a sombre mood, 
This city of our love 
Is no poor, timorous dove. 
To crouch and die unstruggling In the 

mire; 

If, for a time, she yields to force and fire. 

Blinded by battle-smoke, and drenched 

with blood, 

Still must that dauntless hardihood 

Drawn to her veins from out the iron 

hills, 
(Xerving the brain that toils, the soul 

that wills, ) 
Shake off the lotus-languishment of 

grief ! 
I see her rise and clasp her old belief, 
In God and goodness — witli imperial 

glance, 
Face the dark front of frowning Circum- 
stance, — 
While trusting only to her strong right 
arm 
To wrencli from deadly harm, 
All civic blessings and fair fruits of 



peace 



High-souled to gain (despite her 

ravished years). 
And dragon-forms of monstrous doubts 

and fears. 
The matchless splendor of Toil's " golden 

fleece!" 

I see her rise, and strive with strenuous 
hands firmly to lay 
The fresh foundations of a nobler 
sway — 
War-wasted lands 
Laden with ashes, gray and desolate — 



Touched by tlie charm of some regener- 
ate fate — 
Flush into golden liarvests prodigal ; 
Set by the steam-god's fiery passion free, 

1 liear tlie rise and fall 
Of ponderous iron-clamped machinery. 
Shake, as witli eartliquake thrill, the 
factory halls; 
While round the massive walls 
Slow vapor, like a sinuotis serpent 
steals — 
Through which revolve in circles, 
great or small, 
The deafening tliunders of the tireless 
wheels ! 

Far down eacli busy mart 
That throbs and heaves as with a human 
heart 
Quick merchants pass, some debonair 
and gay, 
With imdimmed, youthful locks — 
Some wrinkled, sombre, gray — 
But all witli one accord 
Dreanung of him — their lord — 
The mighty monarch of the realm of 

stocks ! 
And year by year her face more frankly 

bright, 
Glows with tlie ardor of the bloodless 
fight 
For bounteous empire o'er iier 
cherished South. 
j More sweet the smile upon her maiden 
j mouth, 

! Just rounding to rare curves of woman- 
' hood : 

! Because all unwithstood 
1 The magic of her power and stately pride 
1 Hath called from many a clime 
j Of tropic sunshine and of winter rime. 
The world's skilled art and science to 
her side ; 
Hence from her transient tomb. 
Three lustra since, a hideous spot to 
see — 
Grows the majestic tree 
Of heightened and green-leaved pros- 
perity. 



au2 



LATl-:il ruEM.^. 



Hence, \wv bioail iianlcus l)looiii 
With rose ami lily, au'l all llowcrs of 
balm. 
And lienoe above ilic lines 
Of her vasl railways, iliuoii the hulcu 
vinos — 
A luscious laigess lino" ibc suiniiu'r 
calm ! 

Feeling lier veins so full of lusty l)lo()(l. 
That pulsed within iheiii like a rliylh- 
nuc Hood, 
And eager fur sweet sisierhuud, — the 
bond 

IJIissfnl and fond. 
That yet may hold all nations in its 
thrall", 
A.tlanta — from a night of si)lendid 
dreams, 
Koused by soft kisses of the morning 
beams. 
Decreed a glorious festival 
Of art and commerce in her brave 
domain ; 
JShe sent her summons on the courier 
breeze ; 
Or thro' the lightning winged wire 
Flaslied forth her soul's desire: — 
Swiftly it passed. 
O'er native hillsand streams and prairit>s 
vast,— 
And o'er waste barriers of dividiug 
seas 
"Till from all (|uarters, like (piick tongues 

of Ha me. 
That warm, but burn not. — t'ordial an- 
swers t-ame. 
And waftage of benignant messages. 

Thus, thus it is a mighty concourse 

meets 
O'erflowing scjuares and streets — 
Borne at tlood-tide toward the guarded 

ground. 
Where treasures of two liemispheres are 

found. 
To tax the incpiirintc mind, the curious 

eye! 



In yellow stalks, or sifted meal fol- 

bread ; 
runuiubercd births of Ceres chisiered 
nigli: 
r>eh()ldiiig which — as touched by 
tropic heat. — 
(Tlic old-world picture never fun mow 

old, 
Nor the deep love that thrills it diimli 

and cold ) — 
Clear fancy looks on L'oaz in ilie win at. 
And in her simple truth. 
The tender eyes of Uutli 
Holding the garnered fragments at his 
feet : 

15nt piled o'er all. thro" many an un- 
bound bale 

i'ei'iing to show its snow-white softness 
pale, 

— Snow-white, yet warm, and destined 
to be furled 
In some auspicious day. 
For which we yeaiii ami ]iiay, 

Uound half the naked misery of the 
world, 

A Ueece more rich than .'astufs. glances 
down. 

Ah! well we know no monarch's jewelled 
crow 11, 
\o marvellous koh-i-noor, 

\Von, tirst perchance, from gulfs of 
human gore. 

Or life-toil of swart millions, gaunt and 
poor. 
Hath e'er outshone its peerless sover- 
eignty. 

The wings of song unfold 
Towards thy nooiuide-gold ; 
The eyes of song are clear, 
(Turned on thy broadening sphere) 

To mark, oh! city of the midland-weald. 

Aud follow thy fair fortunes far atield — 
The years unborn, 
Doubtless must bring to thee 

Trials to test thy spirit's constancy; 

(While unthrift aliens wear the mask of 



THh: UKTURN OF I'KAiJh:. 



ao3 



Fiiiaiicia! sliock'^ willioul 


Ihcc and 


r.y Iila<-k-l)rowt'd " stnuislcrs*" 'mid an 


uilliin ; 




Oriont sjlade: 


■W iDii^hl !)>■ shrew il niniicy 


■d Shyloi-ks 


liut I lion, with keenest will. 


hot lo will 




Shall cnt the lionds of stealthy fraud 


'I'hcir lira/.cii lmiih' of iiiniisl 


■ou.s usniy; 


ajiart. 


I!ava,iii'on)aii(lit •'liiius'" w 


lose bouiul- 


And if foree fronts thee with a nnn-der- 


less maw 




oiis lilade. 


('ail swallow all Ihiiii^s ulllily 


. sav( — the 


Pieree the rash son of Aiiak to the heart ! 


law! 






And many a siihtliT ill 




Oh I (jncen I thy lirilliant horoseoiic 


SiiililtMi and suljtlc as t 


he amhiisli 


AVas cast by Helios in the halN of 


laid, 




hope; 




'■ \V:ir-\\ :isIcm| hiilfts . . . 
Touclif(l liv the chariii of soiiii- rc};eiicratc fate- 
Flusli into golden liarvesls laodigal." 



And ho]»' l)eoomes fiillilinciit, as thy 

tivad — 
Firm. ])l:iced between the livinijand the 
dead — 
^\'ills the liii;h ui'ade whieli owns a 
heavenward sloix': 
Fo!' force and frand undone. 
And storniless summits won. 
In tlicc I view liea\-cirs juirjiose per- 
fected: 
T1k)U shah be eiiiiir<'ss of all peaceful 
ties. 

All potent industries. 



All world -embracing: magnanimities: 
A warrior-([neen no more, but mailed 
in love. 
Thy sjiear a fulgent shaft of sun- 
steeped grain: 
Thy shield abuekler. the ti(dd-fairiesMdve 
Of strong green grasses, in the sihcry 

noon 
Of .some full harvest-moon. 
Thy stainless crown, red roses, blent 

with white! 
Now . throned above the half-forgotten 
pain 



804 



LATER POEMS. 



Of dreatlfiil war, and ^\ar"s remorseless 
blight. 
Thy heart-throbs glad and great, 
Sending through all thy Titan-statured 

state. 
Fresh life and gathering tides of grander 
power 
From glorious hour to hour, 
Thousands thy deeds shall bless 
With strenuous pride, toned down to 

tenderness : 
Shall bless thy deeds, exalt thy name ; 
Till every breeze that sweeps from hill 

to lea. 
And every wind that furrows the deep 

sea. 
Shall waft the fragrance of thy soul 

abroad 
The sweetness and the splendor of thy 

fame : — 
For thou, midmost a large and opulent 

store. 
Of all things wrought to meet a nation's 
need. 
Thou, nobly pm-e. 
Of any darkening taint of selfish greed, — 
Wert pre-ordained to be 
Purveyor of divinest charity, — 
The love-commissioned almoner of God. 



YORKTOWN CENTENNIAL LYRIC. 

[Written at the request of the Yorktown Cen- 
tennial Conuiiission, appointed by Congress, 
to eoniUiet the celebration of the surrender of 
Lord Cornwallis, to the combined forces of 
France and America, upon the 19th of Oct. 1781. 
at Yorktown, Va.] 

Hai:k, hark! down the century's long 

reaching slope 
To those transports of trimiiph, those 

raptiu'es of hope. 
The voices of main and of mountain 

combined 
In glad resonance borne on the wings of 

the wind, 



The bass of the drum and the trumpet 
that thrills 

Through the multiplied echoes of jubi- 
lant hills. 

And mark how the years melting up- 
ward like mist 

Which the breath of some splendid en- 
chantment has kissed. 

Reveal on the ocean, reveal on the shore 

The proud pageant of conquest that 
graced them of yore. 

When blended forever in love as in 
fame 

See, the standard which stole from the 
starlight its flame, 

And type of all chivalry, glory, romance, 

The lilies, the luminous lilies of France. 

Oh, stubborn the strife ere the conflict 

was won ! 
xVnd the wild whirling war wrack half 

stifled the sun. 
The thunders of cannon that boomed 

on the lea. 
]>ut re-echoed far thunders peahnl up 

from the sea. 
Where guarding his sea lists, a knight 

on the waves, 
Bold De Grasse kept at bay the blutf" 

bull-dogs of Graves. 
The day turned to darkness, the night 

changed to fire. 
Still more fierce waxed the combat, 

more deadly the ire, 
Undimmed by the gloom, in majestic 

advance. 
Oh, behold where they ride o'er the red 

battle tide, 
Those banners united in love as in 

fame. 
The brave standard which drew from 

the star-beams their flame. 
And type of all chivalry, glory, romance. 
The lilies, the luminous lilies of France. 

Xo respite, no pause; by the York's 

tortured flood. 
The grim Lion of England is Mrithing 

in blood. 



ON THE PERSECUTION OF THE JEWS IN RUSSIA. 



305 



Cornwallis may chafo and coarse Tarle- 

ton avor, 
.Vs he sharpens his l)r()a(ls\vor(l and 

buckles his spur, 
'• This blade, which .so oft has reaped 

rebels like graii), 
>\'hallnow harvest for death the rude ijeo- 

rnen agai)i. '' 
VrJn boast! for ere sunset he's flying in 

fear, 
With the rebels he scouted close, close 

ill his rear, 
\Vliilc the French on his flank hurl such 

volleys of shot 
That e'en Gloucestei-'s redoubt nuist be 

growing too hot. 
Thus wedded in love as united in fame, 
Lol the standard which stole from tlie 

starlight its flame, 
And type of all chivalry, glory, romance, 
The lilies, the liuuiuous lilies of France. 

O morning su\)erb! when the siege 

reached its close; 
See! the sundawn outbloom, like the 

alchemist's rose! 
The last wreaths of smoke from dim 

trenches upcurled. 
Arc transformed to a glory that smiles 

on the world. 
.Joy, joy! Save the wan, wasted front of 

the foe, 
With his battle-flags furled and his arms 

trailing low; — 
IJespect for the brave ! In stern silence 

they yield, 
And in silence they pass with bowed 

heads from the field. 
Then triumph transcendent! so Titan 

of tone 
That some vowed it must startle King 

George on his throne. 

When Peace to her own, timed the pulse 
of the land. 

And the war weapon sank from the war- 
wearied hand, 

Young Freedom upborne to the height 
of the goal 



She had yearned for so long with deep 

travail of soul, 
A song of her future raised, thiilling 

and clear. 
Till the woods leaned to hearken, the 

hill slopes to hear: — 
Yet fraught with all magical grandeurs 

that gleam 
On the hero's high hope, or the patriot's 

dream, 
AVhat future, tho" bright, in cold shadow 

shall cast 
The proud beauty that haloes tin- Ijrow 

of the past. 
Oh ! wedded in love, as united in fame. 
See the standard which stole from the 

starlight its flame. 
And tyi)e of all chivalry, glory, romance. 
The lilies, tlu' huiunous lilies of France. 



OX riiE PEi!si:rrriox of the jews 
ix nussi.i. 

•' Be advjseill ])o imt tniniple upon my peo- 
I)le. Xatin)is and iiu-n tliat o])press us do not 
tltrire." — From Charles Iteade's " Xever Too 
Late to Mritd." 

What nnn-niurs are these that so \vo- 
fully rise 
Into heart-storms of agony borne 
from afar '? 
A tempest of passion, a tumult of sighs ? 
There is dread on the earth, and stern 
grief in the skies, 
\Vhile the nations, appalled, watch the 
realm of the Czar! 

Can humanity's sim have gone down in 

an iiour. 
Or a fiend have struck mercy's soft 

key-note ajar, 
That upwhirled on the fierce winds of 

madness and power. 
This cloud — with its liail of harsh 

hatreds — should lower 
O'er those who still call on their 

'• fallier," the Czar? 



JOG 



LA TKlt I'O/JMS. 



C;au hell have burst upward, and 


For the mother's lament, or the father's 


spaw ncd from its woiiib 


despair: 


'I'lic worst, of all demons thai menace 


No pity for such thrills the thought of 


and mar".' 


the Czar; 


O (JodI see an emiiire recking in 




gloom — 


But his spirit leans, tender and yearn- 


Hark! tli(> death-shoek, the slu-iek, the 


ing, aliove 


wild volleys of doom — 


The mad helots w ho riot, rage, nuirder 


Ay ! the riot of hell shakes the land of 


afar; 


the Czar! 


To them he is soft as a nest-bi'ooding 




dove ; 


'I'lic lii'lds are llame-ginlied, the rivers 


But the murdered! alas! ///r// are 


roll red 


stinted of lov(>. 


Through tlu> sulphurous fumes and 


Bight, justice, or ruth, in the creed of 


swift ravage of w ar. 


the Czar! 


A Mar on the helpless, ludielmeted head. 




Which toitures the living and si)an's not 


Shall grim carnage goad onward, em- 


the dead; 


brutetl and base. 


Is ho sleeping, or dumb, their "good 


The black coursers that strain at li(>r 


father"' the (V.ar ? 


iron-wrought car. 




While those of high purpose and fetter- 


Ah. no! — through the eorridors statt'ly 


less race 


and vast 


Idly gaze on the foul media'val disgrace 


Of Ids i)alaee that gleams like a pale 


Which poisons all earth from you 


l)olar star. 


realm of the Czar".* 


On a gale from tli(^ south tliese l)lack 




tidings liave passed: 


AVake,Engl:iiid. your thunders! America, 


He hears! and the lightnings of justice 


fling 


at last 


To the wind the shrewd statecrafts 


(^ui\er hissing and hot in tlie hand of 


that liaiiiper, or mar! 


the Czar! 


Blend your voices of wrath! your dei^p 




warnings outring. 


The world holds its l)reathin'A' to mark 


To smite the dulled ears, and blind soul 


lliem ill llame 


of the king — 


On their linutless course tliat no bul- 


Who rules — Heaven help them! 


wark can bar; 


those realms of the Czar! 


But instead, through his wily state par- 
asite came 






A rescrii)t so false, its unspeakable 

shame 


ASSASSlXA-rioX. 


Should haunt to his death the dark 


O i;i,ixi>Kl> readers of the snoll of 


dreams of the Czar! 


time. 




'i'liink ye that freedom yields her hand 


No word lor the victims, all Imtchered 


to crime ".' 


and bare. 




By the hearth-stom^ defiled, and the 


Or the fair whiteness of her virginal 


blood-tainted lar: 


l)Ud 


For the ]>oor ravished maid, whose sole 


Of heavenly hope, would desecrate witli 


shroud is ln'r liair; 


blood ? 



ENGLAND. 



307 



Her eyes are chastened liiihtninns. and 

the fire 
Of her divinely purified desire 

IJurns not in aniliush by assassins 

trod, 
lint on the holiest mountain heiglits of 

God! 

So, ye tliat fain would meet her fond 

cnibraee, 
Purge the base soul, unmask the 

treacherous face, 

Drop bowl or dagger while ye bring her 
naught 

But the grand worship of a selfless- 
thought : 



ENGLAXl). 

Laxi) of my father's love, my father's 
I'aee. 
How long nnist 1 in weary exile 
sigh 
To meet thee. () my empress, face to 
face. 
And kiss thy radiant robes before 1 
die? 

O iMigland I in my creed, the huml)lest 
dust 
Beside thy haunted shores and shadowy 
streams, 
Is touched by memories and by thoughts 
august . 
By golden histories and majestic 
dreams. 

O England! to my mood thy lowliest 
flower 
Fi'cds on the smiles of some transcen- 
dent sky ; 
Thy frailest fern-leaf shrines a spell of 
power! 
Ah! shall 1 walk thy woodlands ere ^ 
die ? 



Thy sacred places, where dead heroes 
rest 
By temples set in ivy-twilight deep; 
Thy fragrant lields topped by tlie sky- 
lark's crest; 
Thy hidden waters breathing balms of 
sleep : 

Thy castled homes, and granges veiled 
afar 
In antique dells; thy ruins lioai- and 
high: 
Thy mountain tarns, each like a glitter- 
ing star. 
Shall 1 behold their marvels ere I die ? 

Thine opulent towns, throned o'er the 
snbject-main, 
Girt ])y brave fleets, their weary canvas 
"furled, 
Deep-laden argosies througli storm and 
strain, 
lioi'ne from the utmost boundaries of 
the world 

O'er all. thy London! every stone with 

l)reath 

Indued to (piestion. counsel, or reply; 

Gity of miglitiest life and mightiest 

death. 

Shall I Ix'hold thy splendors ere I die? 

But most [ yearn, in ))ody as heart, to 
bow 
Before our England's poets, strong and 
wise. 
Watch some grand thonght- nplift the 
lam-eate's brow. 
And flash or fade in Swinburne's ticry 
eyes. 

And other glorious minstrels woidd I 
gr<_'et 
Bound to my life by many a rhythmic 
tie. 
When shall I hinir their welcomes frankly 
sweet . 
And clasp those cordial hands, before 
Idle? 



508 



LATER POEMS. 



Fair blow tlio broozos; liijih aiv sail and 
strain ; 
Soon imist I mark bravo Kn^laiurs 
brighU'iiiug loa ; 
Fullilli'ilat It>ii;;tli, llio larjiv and Instrous 
dream 
Which luri'd WW long across the sum- 
mer sea I 

AlasI a moment's triumplil — false as 
vain I 
O'er dreary hills the gamit pines moan 
and sigh; 
Pale grows my dream, pioroed ihnnigh 
by bodeful \)ain; 
KnglaudI I shall not see thee ere 1 
die! 



TO LOXG FELLOW. 
(ox IIKAKIXC UK WAS ILL.) 

() riioi, whose potent genius (like the 

snn 
'I'ondeily mellowed by a rippling 

haze) 
Hast gained thee all men's homage, 

love and praise. 
Surely thy web of life is not outspun. 
Thy glory rounded, thy last guerdon 

won! 
Nay. poet, nay ! — from ihought's I'alm 

sunset ways 
>[ay new-born iu)tes of nndegenerate 

lays 
(harm trnek the twilight gloom ere day 

be clone! 

lUit past the poet erowned 1 see the 
friend — 
l-'rank. eourteous. true — about whoso 
loeks of gray. 
Like gi>lden bees, some glints of snnuuer 
stray: 
Clear-eyed, with lips half poised 
'twixt smile and sigh: 
.V brow in whose soul-mirroring man- 
hood blend 
Graee, sweetness, power and niag- 
naninntv! 



•• I'liii.ir M v /v7.V(;.-* 

••Piiii.ii". my king." ay, still thou aii a 
king. 
Though storms of sorrow on thy suf- 
fering head 
Have Hashed and thundered tlu»ngh 
the nudniglu's dread : 

Ah. lofty soul! fraught with the sky- 
lark's \viug 

To eapture heaven, the sky-lark's voiee 
to sing 

Such notes elhm'eal through veiled 
brightness shed 

Their graeions power to litiuid pathos 
wed. 

Thrills like the soft rain- pulses of the 
spring: 

Uanned from earth's day — thine iiiirurd 

sight expands 
Abt)ve thenight-bonml senses' birth or 

bars; ^ 
Lord oi a larger realm, of snbth^r scope. 
Where thon at lastshalt i>ross the lips of 

Hope. 
And feel God's angel lift in radiant 

haiuls 
Thv life from darkness to a place of 

stars! 

Meanwhile, alas! despite these inward 
spells 
Of voice and vision, and fond hoi^e 

to be. 
Perchance. — llumgh vaguely shadowed 
forth to thee. — 
()ft-times thy thought biU echoes the 

deep knells 
Of buried joy: oft-times thy spirit swells 
With moaning memories. like a smitten 

se;>. 
When the worn tempest wandering up 
the lea. 
Loaves alow wind to breathe its wild 
farewells. 

^ •• riiHipm!/ Khiii." Miss Mulook'soxiiuisite 
song, all lovers otpootry must recall. The 
little hero of that lyric was Wiilip :iMaistou, 
!lu' luulioi's gixt-son. 



A I' LEA FUR THE GRAY. 



309 



O brothf'i! — pondering dreary and 

ajiarl 
O'er tilt; dead blossoms of deciduous 

years : 
O poet! fell too long on bitter tears! 



I waft, o'er seas, a white-w inged courier- 
dove, 
Bearing to thee this balmy spray of love, 
Warm from the nested fragrance of my 
heart. 







"Ol'I passions may be purged of blood, 
Old lueiiiories cannot die." 



A I'I.EA roil THE <il;.\Y. 

[A discussion bas recently been inaugurated in the city of Mobile, Ala amone the niilitarv 
con,panu,«, as to the propriety of changing the Gray for the W or so.ne other uu^onM. 



\ViJi-„\ ili(! land' s martyr, mid hi-r 
tears, 

Outbreallied liis latest Ijreath, 
Tlie discord of long, festering years, 

Lay also<lnini» in death: 
Our souls a new-born friendship drew 

With spells of kindliest sway; 
At last, at last, the confjucring IJhie 

131ent with the van(iiii>li(M| Tiray! 



Yet, v-ho thro' this south-land of ours, 

While faith and love are free. 
But still must cast memorial llovvers 

Across the grave of Lee •} 
And oft their ancient grief renew 

O'er " .Stonewall's " cherished clay ? 
The heart that's pledged to guard tjie 
Blue 

Mitst lionor still the Gray! 



li\{) 



i.An.ii i\>i:Ms. 



O YtHorans (>t roiv>niiU''s tlooil. 

Or Vi»'ksWur^"'s h\vU\ sky, 
0\d passions umy U> piii-iivd of 1>Khh1. 

(>Kl uuMUorios oaunot iliol 
'riiov till your (\v OS with tiory tiow. 

Hovivo your uiauhooil's .May, 
And past tho briulit \ iotoiious Hluo, 

Ui'iug bark tlu> staiuloss (Jrayl 

O martyrs i>t' tlio dosporato liuht. 

All woak auti luvkou now. 
With shattoixHl jjorvos, or hlasUnl sight. 

Krail anus ami t'unwvod bnnv! 
What thiuk yo of tho fnitriot viow 

Klashod on yoin* ininils tiwlay ? 
Too old ti» ilou tho prv>spi«i\>us Hluo. 

Vo olaspyour tattoiv*l (iniy I 

.Kr\>ui many a worn and wastod uiound, 

Aiul dust-onounduMvd olod. 
Tho voio<>s of iloail lu>roos st»und. 

Kisiu^ fi\>)u oarth to iJodI 
'H>ur doom was dark, our livos woro 
truo. 

Ah I oast not tpiito away, 
AVhat tiuu- yo hail tho favoitnl Hluo — 

Old ihvams that oixnvuoil tho (Jray I" 

Can honor i»» his saoivd gravo 

Loss fair and glorious h<> ",' 
Can faith on fortuno's tioklo wave, 

Chango with tho ohangvfid soa ? 
Uowan> lost what yo rashly dv^ 

Should ouil in shamoil disn>ay. 
Aiul all pmv ohampious of tho l>hu\ 

Soorn tnutoi'ji lo tho (.iniv I 



rXlOX OF ^l I'K AXD GJiA Y. 

Is '■.;»>( e>l l\v tho ivofut visit of liovonun- 
15ijjt>i»>\\ !uul tUo I'oiuieotioul ooiuiKUUfs t»> 
Ohtu-lesion, Soutli V'aivliua.] 

Tuh rduo is manhiug south onoo ntoiv. I 
With sorriod stool and statoly ttvad; 

Thoir martial luusio \valtHl bofotv, 
Thoir t'io;, of starj; tlaslunl ovorhoad. 



.Vhl not through stortu and stivss !hoy 

l'lMU<\ 

Tho thmidors of old halo aro duinh. 
And frank as oloar Ootohor's my 
This tnooti»\g of tho lUuo ami Oray. 

A rhoMiix from lu-r outworn tiivs. 

llor g»>ry ashos. rising froo. 
Fair Charlostott with horstaiuloss spiros 

(Ut<an>s by tho sihor-stratulod soa. 
No hurtling 5;ail nor ln»stilo hall 
Ihvaks (luiMiiih tho troai'liorvuis hatllo- 

pall: 
Truo voioos spoak fivm hoarts as truo, 
Korstrifo lios»load 'twixt (iray .and Uluo. 

(Jrin\ Samtor. liko a Titan maimod. 

Still gUHMUs hoyomi his shattoroii koop; 
But whoiv his holts of lightning tlainoil 

Thoiv hnuulsa quiot. mild as sloop; 
His gniuito haso. long oloansod i>f hU>od, 
Is oiivlod by a goldoti flood. 
Typo of that \>oai"o w ln\so sat'rtnl sway 
Knfolils tho lUuo. oxaltstho (Iray. 

Tho .soa-tiilos faintly riso afar. 

Atid — w ing>; oi all tho bivo/os f urUnl, 
8oon> slowly homo o'or boaoh and bar. 

l)tvani-»nunnuring~s front .a s\Mrtt 
wcuUl, 
Tlnvugh thri>bbit>g ilrum and buglo-trill 
Tho distant oalm sooms doopor still — 
IVop as that faith whoso ool^lial ilow 
Hath soot hod tho (Jray and iharmod the 
r>hu>. 

(Vor Ashloy'sbtvast thoantunm sinilos. 
All mollowod in hor hazy fold. 

Whilo tho whito arms of latignid islos 
A IV girxlKnl by othotval gx»ld. 

All Natuiv wliispors: war is o'or, 

Fiotvo fouds havo tloil our soa and shoiv; 

iMd wt\n»g>* forgt^t. old tios tvnow. 

O hoivos of tho tirjvy a nil Tduo! 

Tho southorn rahu ami uorthorn Tino 
No longor i-lash thivugh loaf and 
bough ; 

Tntmpiillitios of dopth bonign 

ilavo bouiul thoir blondiui; foli.Hiiv now. 



JIJl-: KL\(i Ob' THE L'lJJW. 



Or. I,ai..-.| l.y ..lo,i.ll..«.s .tar an.l „.oon. 11- roaml U.. p.uv, .nsi;,M. of ( V.vs 

.S.-n.n...l...y..h,n..u.suM-li,noon. ,w m.-H-lou, and Ino „ia n ami 

lli«-ii-<;.|Malhl.a.lovvs.solilv|.la.y doo.l "lo.iriuiii, ami 

AI.OV.. ,1,. HI,.,, a..n.s M.- (;„.>■. An,l ,..,. V,ni l.-afy ,o).l of i.i. l.arv..s,,H 

j I iio <'ail|i-si)rit.'s ami air-,spni..-s iiad 

* I S)tllll. 

''I'vv iliylliiiijr wIh-u swept by l)„. 

'////. A/\^ o/ ////, fl,<,\\, l(l-(;<v,<-s, 

'I'.,. , . , I <'i':\v royal, ulicii kissed bv ll.e 

J III-, ^wonl IS r,.-s|„,,ih.-d in lis seali- , s.iu ; 

Ti -,1 , " l5efore llie siciii clianii of iiis natieiiee 

J ..• nlle i.un.^s sale om Li.e wall; \\-,,,, ,„..k.,.„o,ed forees ,nu Uk V 

No o..«erwe,,„a„,uhel.uM,ry Tome! .tow,, l,in. wiM, eon -ea^ and 

Hot, nisli ol tile faveiio.is hall, „.)„„i, |,.,,, " ' 

Tl.e war-eloMd has l.urled i,,s last, li^hi- ' Tl.e kin,. H,.- boi.l kin, of the plow! 

llslasl,autul,lH,„dersarestill. Through valleys of bahn-droom,,.. 

\Miiletlie.|e,n.,i. ofeoiifiiet, in llad.s , inyrlles ^iin .iioop,n^ 

Alo e tl.e b.oad fields t,l.at,l,eravu«...|, | Wl.en, the, wl,.d-sonl,^s a.-e set lo the 

Ul.atn.oi.aiehn.les Wissfidly now'.' n.ystie ^ M,t lo in., 

'"'■ "''iZMe" ""' '"'^ ""' "" ^'''""""""""f passionless dreams; 

Th.- kin.r .lu' ... .• .• , '^" ""■•^"^'"'-''aMnled ..plandsof Th.ile, 

knj,s the brave kn., ol lb,; Uy iee-inlled lio.ds a..d does 

{ Alik.- sp.-eds lb.- sp<-l| of his -od- 

V I ■ I 1 ■ I hood, 

A <n.«. ay! what n.ie,. ...on- pole,,, I The bloo... of his heritage «lows- 

A monau... aye >,/,m- il.a., a ,no„;„-b, All elin.es to his prowess mnst bow 

II. stan.ls Hhe... ,n ,.a,.t|. s sn.e p,,nee. , stainl.-ss, 

I lie se,.d-,,,i,ns an. seatt.-ie,| an.l „low 



SOVNII. 



plow. 



''"'w heir' !' hT"?";" '"";■'■'■"' '"" 1 ^'^'•' ^■■'' "• "'^'••"'^ ■•"'^'•'"'^^' '■■'f"'% 

blow,.^ ' ' ' "■'""'"■' '''^"' ^^' '''^""'"'"^ '^^' «"'*-''"''^'- -« ■^'•"1"'- 

. , , ■ i se.! the fair anirel! — fi'.iition 

lh.„,U, ,„,|.,|,„,„ „,„ ,|,„.k „„ ,,., •ri„.r™,„f.j„yr„i„arom„ll,i„,. 

ni I- ' . , ''"' '''i.!« of sweetness and eal. II 

'^- •"'^7.^;;'"' -"' •"'"-''-'■ -'- "l-a..- For ihe sword has been ehaUd to the 

'iM, I . ' , ! plowshare, 

•"•■ ';;j;;^,"'" ^"""- '<i"^ •>•■ -l.e l The Hon Hes down with the iamb! 

O! <ii,<iil-n,iij('Mic! \V<- know Uif'c, 

T»wo,.,b the .hadow and sbi,.e of past I '''''''''''j,^:;;;^'''' "-' ''•""./?.«-./ ..^ 



aires. 



Ml'l ;i ". ' . '''"■"'' ''"''' "/ life's (lidliil rimsniiiiiKl 

(Ulnle tyrants mtu- blindc.l with I z;,,,, ' '"-'""//"< 

blood* 



'Kw ,mr>' I hi- sir/'.-l I,;. in nllhi- nl„w! 



;n: 



LATi:ii rOKMf^. 



I. 

\.o\v,vv.\.i.o\\ 1>K.\1>. 

Ay. it is woUI ("rush back your soltish 

li\us; 
For Iroui llu- hall-voilod faoc of oartlily 

spi'iu;;' 
I lath ho uot lison ou hoavou-aspii'iug 

w iuj; 
'To ii-aili llu' s]>iiuu-tiilo of tho otonuvl 

voars '.' 

With Ufo full-oihotl, he stantls amid his 

p.'iTS. 

The iiiauil iuiniortalsl a fair. niiUl-oyod 

kiuii. 
Fhisliiug to ln'ar tlioir potent \\oU'ou\os 

riui; 
Kouuil tlnMar oiirlo of those hnuinous 

sphnvs. 

Mock not liis hoavouly ohoor witli mor- 
tal wail. 

I'uloss souio luuiuui-hoartoil ui^htiu- 
galo. 

rioivoil by griofs thorn, shall givo sui-h 
uiusir birth 

That ho. tho now-wingoil soul, tho 
orvtwnod ami shrivon. 

May loan hoyoml tho otYnlgont vorgo of 
hoavon, 

To oatoh liis own swoot roqiiiom, bonio 
from oavth! 

8uoh marvolUms roiiuiom wore a panui 

too — 
(Woo touohoil atiil nuivoring with 

triumphant tiro) ; 
For him whoso oourso tlashoil always 

high atul highor. 
Is K>st boyond tho straugo, uiystorious 

blue: 
Ah! yot. wo nuuiuur, ((Oi this thing bo 

t ruo ".' 
Fort>vor siloivt horo. that louder lyro. 
Tunod to all gnioious t homos, all i>uro 

dosiro. 
Whoso notos vlivppod swoot as honoy. 

soft as dow ? 



No tears! you say — since roimdod, 

bravo, oomploto. 
Tho ymot's work lios radiaiu at Cuul's 

foot. 
Nay I nay I i>nr hoarts with griof nniat 

hold thoir tryst: 
llow din» grows all about us and abovol 
Vaiidy wo gropo through iloath's bowil- 

doring mist. 
To fool ouoo moro his olasp of lininan 

lovol 

n. 

l>N rilK PKATll Ol- riJKSIDKNT 

i;.vi;KiKi.i>. 
1 si:k tho Nation, as in antique agos, 
t'rouohod with rout rolk's. and ashos 
o\\ hor head : 
I lor n\ournful oyos aro doop with dark 
prosiigos. 
llor soul is hauutoil by a forn\loss 
ilroail I 

'"OCuhI!" she orios. " why hast Thou 
loft mo blooding, 
Woiuidod ami quivering to tho heart's 
hot eoro ? 
C'au fervid faith, winged prayer,, and 
auguishoil pleading 
Win balm and pity froni thy heavens 
no more '.* 

'• I knelt. I yearuoil. in agonizing pas- 
sion. 
r»reathless to oatoh thy still small 
voiee' from far; 
Now thou fnifit answered, but in awful 
fashion. 
And striv>pod our midnight of its last 
pale star. 

■• What teal's aiv given mo in o'ermas- 
tering measure. 
From fathomless floods of Marah. 
darkly free. 
While that pure life I held my noblest 
t reasure 
Is plunged forever in death's tideless 
sea! 



IS' MEAKjJilAM. 



!l: 



"Hark to those Ijollow «ioiiiids of lain- 
r-iitation, 
'J'lic iiiiilll<'(| iiiiisic, I lie fiiiicrcal b<;ll; 
From l;ti- ;iii(l wide on wings of desola- 
tion 
VUy.ii wild and uaiifuj voif.rs of fare- 

Wfll. 

"'I'iic Noi Ill-land inonms lior grief in 
full libation, 
OMt|>our<'d for liini who died at vic- 
tory's goal ; 
And I lie great West, in solfmn ministra- 
tion, 
May not, n-eail Ix-r hfio's shining 
soul. 

" Yr-a, the Noiih moiiiiis; the West; a 
strickiMi mother, 
I)rooi)S as in saekelolh with veiled 
brow and moulh; 
And w hat old strifV^s, what waning hates, 
eaii,srnother 
The generous heart-throbs of the pity- 
ing South V 

*' Did donbt remain ? — Sh.a erushc^d its 
latftst ember 
A I that stern moment whi-n the vic- 
lim'sfall 
<'haiiged loveliest siimmef to a giim De- 
cember, 
I'aled by th<; hiss of Guitcau's murder- 
ous ball. 

"'riiMs by the spell of one vast grief 
united 
(Where cypress boughs their death- 
cold shadows wave). 
My sons, I trust, a liolier faith have 
plighted. 
And sealed the com])act by //t.s sacred 
grave." 



'Twas thus she spoke; but still in pros- 
trat(! sorrow. 
While lowlii^r earthward drooped her 
brow august. 



To-day is dark; vague darkness clouds 
to-moir<nv. 
Ah! in <;od's barrd the nations are 
but — dust I 

III. 

DKAX ST.VXI.KY. 

Dkai>I di-adi in sooth IjIs maibled brow 
iseold, 
And ])i(^sti-ate lies that bi'ave, majestit- 
head; 
True! his stilled features own (h^atlTs 
arctic moidd. 
Yet, by Christ's blood, 1 know he is 
not dead ! 

Here fades the cast- off vestment that he 
wor(!. 
The robe of flesh, whence his true self 
hath fled; 
What(;'er be false, one faith holds fast 
and sure, 
Great souls like his abide not with the 
d<'ad : 

Eyried u ith God, beyond all mortal pain. 
Dreathing the eliluence of ethereal 
birth. 
Through deeds divine, his spirit walks 
again, 
C)n rhythmic feet the mournful paths 
of earth! 

In heaven immortal, yet on earth su- 
preme. 
The glamour of his goodness still sur- 
vives. 
Not in vain glinii)Ses of a flattering 
dream, 
But flower and fruit of ransomed hu- 
man lives. 

nis hopes were ocean-wide, and clasped 
mankind ; 
No Levite plea his mi;rcy turned apart, 
But wounded souls — to whom all else 
were blind — 
Ilti soothed with wine and balsam of 
thr lieart. 



314 



LATE 11 ruEM.S. 



With stainless liaiuls he reaivd his Mas- 
ter's eross; 
Ills Piaster's watohwonl pealed o"er 
land and sea; 
And still throniih days of gain, and days 
of k)ss, 
rroelainu'd the liolden truce of char- 
ity. 

All men -were brethren to liis larger creed, 
But given the thought sincere — the 
earnest aim; 
tJod's garden will not spurn the humblest 
weecl 
That yearns for purer air and loftier 
tlame. 

This sweet evangel of the imborn years, 
8eer-like he spake, as one that viewed 
his goal, 
Whilt> the world felt through darkness 
and through tears, 
Mysterious nuisic thrill its raptur(>d 
soul. 

Dead I nay, not dead! while eagle 
thoughts aspire, 
Clothed in winged deeds across the 
empyreal height. 
And all the expanding space is Hushed 
witii tire. 
And deep on deej), heaven opens to 
our sight, — 

He cannot die! yet o'er his dust we shed 
Our rain of human sorrow; on his 
breast 
Cross the pale palms ; and pulseless heart 
and head 
Leave to the quiet of his cloistered 
rest. 

81eep. kniglitly scholar! warrior-saint, 
repose! 
Thy life-force folded like an unfurled 
sail ! 
Spent is time's rage — its foam of crested 
Moes — 
And thou hast found, at last, the Holy 
(iniil ! 



IIIUA.M II. I'.KNXEi;. 

[Doiiicalcil to Uio WilV of this Hero ami 
-Martyr.] 

Wiii-;n the war-drums l)cat and Ihetriuii- 

pets blare. 
When banners flaunt in the stormy 

air, 
When at thought of the deeds that must 

soon be done. 
The hearts of a thousand leap up as 

one, 
Who could not rush through thedin and 

smoke. 
The cannon's crash and the sabre .stroke, 
.Scarce conscious of ebbing blood or 

breath. 
With a laugh for \\ omuls and a scoff at 

death '.' 

But when on tlie sullen breeze there 

comes 
No thrill of trumpets nor throb of drums. 
But only the wtiil of the sick laid low 
By the treacherous blight of a viewless 

foe — 
Who, then, will upgird his loins for tight 
With the lotithsome pest in the poisoned 
i night. 

No martial music his pulse to sttirt. 
But the still, small voice of the ruthful 

hetvrt ;• 
Who then'.' Behold him. tlie t'alm, the 

brave. 
On his billowy path to an alien grave! 
! .Serene in the charm of his liod-like 

will. 
This soldier is armored to save, not kill. 
Ah! swiftly he speeds on the nnst-bound 

stream 
'I'his pilgrim wrapi>ed in his tender 

dream. 
His vision of help for the sick laid low 
By the evil spell of an ambushed foe. 

Ah! swiftly lie speeds 'mid the hollow 

b(H)m 
Of bells that are tolling to death and 

doom. 



IN MEMORIAM. 



315 



Till even the somiils of the bells grow- 
still; 

For the hands of Ihcir ringers are lax 
and eliill. 

And the hnni of the mcjnrners is heard 
no more 

On the misty slope ajid the vacant shore, 

And the few frail creatures that greet 
him seem 

IJut the gliosis of men by a jiliantom 
stream. 

.Still the h(!ro his own great soul enticed 
To suffer and toil in tlie nanuiof Christ, 
He follows wherever his Lord had led, 
To the famished hut or tlie dying bed. 
He medicines softly the fevered jiain; 
To the starving he bringeth liis gold(>n 

grain; 
And ever before him and ever above 
Is the sheen of the unfurled wings of 

love. 

^leaiiwhile. in his distant home are those 
Tliat his going has roblxid of their sweet 

i'('])ose. 
Tbe days pass by tbem like leaden years; 
Tile ulLcbts are bitter witb (ears and 

feai-s — 
Til! at last, by the lightning glamour 

sped, 
f'onu's a name and date, with the one 

word. "Dead!" 
And llii' arms of the smitten an^ lifted 

liigb. 
And tbe lieavensarei'cntliyan anguished 

cry I 

Dead! dead I Vain word for the wise to 

hear ! 
How false its echo on heart and ear! 
'I'o till' earth and eartb's he may close 

his eyes, 
Ihit who dares tell us a martyr dies? 
And of him just gone it were l)est to say 
That in some charmed liour of niglit or 

day — 
Having given us all tliat bis ^<in] could 

give — 
Brave Hiram lienner began to live. 



W. filLMOKhi SIMMS. 

A POEM 

Delivered on the night of the 13th of Decem- 
ber, 1877 "at the Cliarlestowii Academy of 
Music," as prolo}:;uc to the '■ Dramatic Euter- 
taiiiiiieiit " in aid of tlu- " Siiniiis Memorial 
fund." 

Tulo swift mysterious seasons rise and 
set ; 

The omnipotent years pass o'er us, 
brig] it or dun; — 

Dawns blusii, and mid-days burn, 'till 
scarce aware 

Of what deep meaning haunts our 
twiliglit air, 

We pause l)ewildered, yearning for the 
sim ; 

Only to Ijiid ill tliat strange evening- 
tide. 

By th(^ last sunset ]iatlios sanctilied. 

Pale memory nc;u' us, and divine re- 
gret! 

'J'hen memory gently takes us by the 

hand; 
And doid)tful !)onndaries of a faded 

time. 
Half \eiled in mist and rim<% 
Emerge, grow bright, expand ; 
The past becomes the present to our 

eyes ; 
Poor slaves of dust and death, 
(As if some trump of resun-ection 

clear 
Somewhere outpealed, oiti- senses could 

not hear) 
Piise, freed from churchyard taint and 

mortal stain ; 
Old friends! dear comrades! Ikii-c we 

met again ? 
God! how these dismal years 
Of anguished desolation, and veiled 

tears. 
Of fettered feeling, and despondent 

sighs. 
Wither and sbrivid likt; a parchment 

scroll 



:;i»5 



i.ati:r I'or.Ms. 



beizoil by tlio fury ot oousumiiui tire. 
liofoiv tlu" laptuiv of llio illiiiuhu'il 

soul. 
Liftoil au(i lighU'u«,'d by our lovo"s 

ilosiivl 

V\<\ fiiouilsl doar oouuailosl have wo 

UH't oiu-o luoiv ■.' 
Coiuol lot US foutlly mark 
In ihis woird trnco. wboso nuiuionis 

soon must lloo. 
■'I'wixt tho olianuod boart aiul ilroavl 

ivaiity. 
Tboso woll-bolovoil foaturos thai yo woio 

Ouoo on this oarthly shore. 
Now rosouoil ffiMU tho void and tioaoh- 

oious dark! 
(.)! faoos st>ft Of stfonsi. 
Familiar faoos I how yo pros.s and thivnii; 
Closoly about its. whilo tbo onohantod 

li-bt 
(.'hangos lo noonday our long spiritual 

night I 
Tlio faithful oyos that boantod in oiu"s of 

yoro. 
v^liino o\\ us in thoir anciout guiloloss 

\\ay. 
I'ndimmod. u.ushorn of ojii boiu'lioont 

ray. 
And vital soontiug as our ownl to-tlay; 
Lips smiU\ as onoo ihoy -smilod with 

innooont /ost, 
AVhon rouiul tho sooial board 
The impotuons tiooil-tido ponrod 
t>f ourhloss mirth, and l<oon sparkling 

jost 
Vanishod liko wino-ft>am on its iioldon 

orost : 
W<> fool tho loyal giasp 
t>f many a warm hand, yioldiug olasp 

for oh\sp : 
lUit may not stay, alas! wo may not 

stay 
To groet yo ono by one. 
tomnuh\sI roturnod from roahns boyond 

tho sun: 
For lol in rightful pro(>odonoo of powor. 
"A Saul amongst his brothron." than 

tho rest 



Loftior. if rudor in his natural might. 
Tho man who toilod through fortnuo's 

btttcrost hour. 
As oahnly stoailfast and suprouuly 

bravo. 
As if abovo a fair liiVs trau(|uil wave. 
Uroodod tho haloyon witli uiirulllod 

broasi : 
Tho man wliose sturdy franu> uplicid 

ariglu. 
Wo moot, (t> friouds), to oonsoorato to- 

niglit I 

All prt'gnant powers that wait 

On intoUootnal state. 

Favored ami loved him: earlie>t, ilear- 
ost i-amo 

Imagination, robed in mystioal tlamo: 

Ilor oloar eyes soarohing all oreatod 
things 

Heavenly and earthly: with vast breadth 
of wings 

Enginllod by tho magie of a spell ineffa- 
ble": 

And like tho sportive nymph o\ wood- 
land bowers, 

Fauoy stole on him eoyly, pranked with 
flowers. 

Wlu-reof jlie fairest her white tingors 
shed. 

To orowu his bended head. 

liluff humor true, if broad. 

Plaood in his hand a mirth-evoking rod. 

Whilo satire, from the heights of reason 
proud. 

Flashoda keen gleam, like lightning from 
a oloud 

Tho levin-bolt so shoorly outs in two. 

Tho eloud disparts, to leave — a huni- 
uous blue I 

All that ho was. all that he owned, we 

kutnv 
Was lavished freely on <'»< saorod 

shrine. 
Tho shrine of home and eouiuryl from 

the first 
Fresh blush of youth, when merged in 

saiisiuino glow, 



IX MKMOIUAM. 



117 



His liii'-|);illi M'liiiicl a sliritlowloss stc-p 


Down to tbf; day, a few sad years ago, 


lo sliiiic. 


\\ ben a ^rave veteran witb liis age's 


Lfiuliiii; foifvcr upward lo llii-siais; 


sears, 


'I'liniii.^li many a lU-spcialc ami (iiiibil- 


lie moved among us, bke a 'J'itan 


li-rnl KLrifc 


maimed ; 


'I'lial raj^iiiii, rose, and burst 


Only on<: glorious goal. 


Above llic .sloiiii-wiac'kcd waste of inid- 


'riirongb fate, grief, ebange, tbe pure al- 


(llc-litV. 


legiance elaimed 




'* I'ale iiieiiiory near us." 



Of liis uneonquered and majestic soid; 
Tbe goal of lionor; not tbat he miglit 

rise 
Alone ami dominant; hut tlml all mi-n's 

(■Ill's 
Miij/il rliir, iiirr/iKiirc lliraiti/li iinic/i 
linirr tnil nf liis. 

IILs country stripped of every lilt by weed 
Of rritiip ii)i))ii1fil ; in thoiu/ht, iroril (iikI 

ilrcij. 
A iiohlr jwojilc. none would dare despise 

In tlielr unsullied I'liliiii/nicsis. 

fWbicb be wilb lilissful awe. 



And all a jxiet's ])ivscient faitb foresaw:) 
A iii/IjIc jieoj)le, o'er their subject-lands 
Hiding with constant hearts and stain- 
less bands; 
Tbeir feet firm ))lanted as McGregor's 

were. 
I)ei']i in ilie bei'baue of their native sod, 
,\nd e\eiy lionest forehead fre<» to rear 

A front unquelled by fear, 
rutouched by shame, unfurrowed \)y 

desjiair, — 
High in man's sight, or bowed alone to 
(;od! 



318 



LATER POEMS. 



So. K't us rear llu> shall, ami poiso the 

bust 
Above the mouKUMiui;'. but ah I prieoloss 

dust 
Oi vauishoil gouiusl ],ot our houiauo be 
Largo as that spKuulM |>rodiiialUy 
Ot" t'ofi'O auil lo\f, whorowith he 

staurhlv w rou^ht 
Out from llio t|Uanios of his own deep 

Ihouulit. 
ruiuuubored shapes; whether i>f j;ood or 

ill. 
No inmy puppets whose false aetiou 

frets 
Oil a false staiio, like feeble Marioit- 

ittcs ; 
But life-like, luunan still; 
Types of a by-goue age of eriuie ami 

lust; 
<>r. grand histinie forms, iu whom we 

view 
IJe-vivilied, and re-ereated stand, 
'I'he braves who strove through eloud- 

eui'i>mpassed ways, 
luliuite travail, aiul malign dispraise, 
I'o guard, to save, to wroneh from tyrant 

hordes, 
r>y the ]HMi"s virtue, or the lordlier 

sword's 
rnravished Liberty, 
The virgin huntress on a virgin strand'. 

1, through whose song your hearts have 

spoken to-night. 
Soul-present with you. yet am far away; 
Outside my exile's home, I wateh the 

sway 
».>f the bowed pine-tops in the gloaming 

gray, 
Casting aeross the melaneholy lea, 

A tint of browner blight ; 
Outside my exile's home, home to and 

ivo. 
1 hear the inartienlate nuuinnrs tlow 
Of the faint wind-tides breathing like h 

sea ; 
When, iu elear vision, softly dawns on 

n\e. 
(As if in eontrast with you slow deeayt. 



The K>veHest laud thai smiles beneath 

the sky. 
Tin- voa fit-la ml of our Wifitcni Ittili/ : 
1 view the waters quivering; quaff the 

bree/.e. 
Whose briny raeiness kei'ps an imdir 

tasie 
Of tlaxmous tropie sweets (perehaiu'e 

swejit home, 
Aeross the tliekering waste 
Of summer waves, eapped by the Ariel 

foam). 
From Cuba's perfiuned groves, ami gar- 

ilen spieeriesi 

Along the hori/.ou-liue a \apor sw ims, 
I'ale rose and amethyst, melting into 

gold ; 
I'p to our feel the fawning ripples rolled. 
Olimmer an instant, tremble, lapse. 

and die: 
The whole rare seene. ils every elt>n\enl 
Etheivali/ed. transmuted subtly, blent 

l>y viewless alehemy. 
Into the glory of a golilen mood. 
Brings potent exaltations. whUe I walk. 

(A joyful youth again). 
The snow-white beaehes by the Atlaiu e 

Main! 
Ah I not alone! the earking em-se of 

Time 
Far from him yet ; his bold hopes nnsitb- 

dued 
By the long anguish of the woes to be. 
Midmost his years, iu mellow-hearted 

prime. 
Beside mo stands our stalwart-statmvd 

Siinnix .' 

See! what a Viking's mien I 

Half tawny lorks in oaroless ntasses 
em-led 

Over his ample foreheail's massive dome I 

Kyes of bolil outlook, that sometimes 
beneath 

Their level-fronted brows, shine lam- 
bent, deep. 

With inspirations soaroe aroused from 
sleep: 



IN MEMOIUAM. 



!19 



Ami soiiu'tiincs rif<? with ire, 
Sent forth as swonl-hiadcs from an un- 
han!(l slK-atii, 
Flashes of siiiliii-n fire! 
ffis wliolc air breallies of eomijat, iinse- 

reiie 
Profoiiiids of fceiiii.t;, hy a scornful world 
Too early stirreil to impotent disdains; 
(Jenei'ous witlial; i)oimil l)yall liberal ties 
Of Joriily-nalure I mafinanimiti(!s; 

Wliereof we mark the sign 
In thi; curved fullness of a mobile 

moiitli, 
Almost voluptuous; hinting of tlie 

south, 
Whoso siuis iiigh summer shed througli 

all his veins: 
Blending tlnr mildness of a cordial grace 
With summer traits of his Jierserker face, 
Firm-set as granite, haughty, leo- 
nine 

No prim Precisian he! his fluent talk 
Koved tliro" all topics, vivifying all; 
\ow deftly ranging level plains of 

thought. 
To sink, anon in metaphysical deeps; 
Whence, hy cajirice of strange transition 

l>r(juglit 
Outward and upward, the frci; current 

som;ht 
Lleal sununils, ^alliering in its course. 
Splendid momentum and imperious 

foH'c, 

Till, down it, I'ushed as mighty catai'acts 
fall, 
iliuli'il from gaiuil. nioimtain steeps! 

Sportive he could ho as a gamesome hoy! 
By heavfMi ! as 'twere hut yesterday, I 

Ills lull frame quake with thi'oes (jf jolli- 

'y; 

Hear his rich voice; tliat owru'd a j(jvial 

tone. 
Jocund as Falstaff's own; 
And catch moist glints of steel-blue eyes 

o'errnn 
Sideways, by tiny ii\idels of fun! 



Alas! this vivid vision slowly fades! 

Its serious beauty, and its flush of joy 

Pass into nothingness! . . . Stern 
Death resumes 

His sondire empire in the dusk of 
tond)s; 

And th(; dee]) umbrage of Ihr- cypress 
glades 
Is wanly, coldly cast 

In lengthening gloom o'er the reburieil 
past ! 

What then '.' the spiiit of him 

AV<! moiu'ii and fain would honor, grows 
not dim ; 

On earth will li\c with eonsuiiunated 
toil 

Worthily wi-ought, despite; the hot tur- 
moil 

Of open enmity, the secret guile, 

That mol<'-lik<; burrow(!d 'neath tie- 
fruitful soil 

Of his broad mental acres, but to show 

Marks of its crawling littleness between. 
Each far-cxten<led row 

Of those hale harvests, glittering gold or 
green ! 

And somewhere, HoiiicirlKrc in the infi- 
nite space. 

Like all true souls by our Soul-Father 
prized. 

It dwells /'o/vrc;- in<Vn:hhi(ilizf'il ; 

No ghost bewildered "midst a " No 
-Man's Land; "' 
< )ull;i wed and Vjanned 

Of fail- idrntity's redeeming grace. 

Shivering before its wretched phantom 
self. 

Marred by Lethean moonshine — a i)ale 
eif. 

A passionless shadow, but in mind and 
h(>art, 

Tlie mortal creature's marvellous coun- 
tei'part; 

Only exalted, nobler; down on us 

Gazing tliro' fathomless ethers lumi- 
nous: 

Watching the earth and earth-ways 
from afar. 



o20 



LATKll ruKMS. 



I'orhiips wilh soiucwhat i>f a sct)riil"ul 

smile; 
W'\ IciniH'rcil liy tlu' lolcraiu't' wliii'h bf- 

scrliis 
One Kiim I i-auslnli'il froiii r-^M' sphere of 

dreams, 
llcillow illusions, \aeanl vanilies. 
To llial \asi aeliial. which heyonil us 

lies, 
W'lu'ff who ma\ uuess '.' miilsl yonder 

o]udenl skit's; 
Cloar "eoiiius oi' \aulage,"" in some 

'dealldess siarl 

VI. 

1 U KKNS. 

Mktimnks the air 
'I'hrdhs with the tolling, ol' harmonious 
liells, 
Kiuiv,' l»y the liands of spirits; evcrx- 

w here 
A\e feel the pr(>stMiee of a. soft despail 
And thrill to soiees of di\ ine larew I'lN. 

Sweet. Fancy lost, 
W'audei-iui; in (hirkuess, now makes sil- 
very moan ; 
While Pathos, pale, and shadowy, like 

a jihost. 
Soils upon Ilmuor's iireast, that 
mourns him most, 
'riie w i/anl- kin;;- who leaves them all — 
alone. 

Wan u'cnii Ihronu', 
From earth's four (|naiters hurryinj:;, 
mount and mart, 
rure woodland peace, th(> city's din 

and wronii. 
Kaeh hrealiiinL; low a fond funereal 
sonu, 
Kiieh sadly bowed o'er that grand, silent 
heart. 

Tho children's tears 
Alinule with manhood's woe, that falls 
like rain ; 
Low lietli one who towered above his 
peers, 



And nevi'rmore, thrt)ni;h all the fruit- 
ful \ears. 
Our eyi^s >liall ^reet the master's like 
again. 

( 'reations tine. 
His prodigal offspring, ciowd so thickly 
round 
Thai Wit tails foul of Sori'ow, Cupids 

I w ine 
Warm arms with A\arice, and Love's 
si reiigth (li\ ine 
ilati, \an(|uished Hate on Hale's own 
chosen ground. 

Though gone, his art 
Triumph am spans the ilireatening clouds 
of deatli; 
its I'linbow hues forever pulse ami 

slai-t. 
Steeped in the life-blood of the human 
heart. 
And wo\en on hea\ens l)cyond Time's 
storm\ breath. 

VII. 
i<> f.AV AIM) rAVi.oi; r.KVONi) us. 

\ \ isioN (11- ( Mi;isr\i \s icvK, 187!<. 
A'^ here within I watch the fervid coals. 
While tlic chill heavens without shine 
wanl\ w bite, 
1 wonder, friend! in what rare realm of 
souls. 
Yon hail tiie uprising Christmas-tide 
to ni^bl I 

i l<-ave the lire-place, lift the curtain's 
fold. 
.\nd ]icering past these shadowy win- 
dow-bars. 
See throimh iiroad rifts of ghostly clouds 
unrolled. 
The jiulsing pallor of phanlavmal 
stars. 

Fhantoms they seem. glimi>sed ihrough 
I he clouded deep. 
I'ill the winds cease, and cloiidland's 
iihastiv glow 



IN MKMOUIAM. 



?>'1\ 



Gives placn above to liiininoiis cahiis of 

sleep, 
J]elle;Uli, to Ljlittelill- aillplil lldes of 
snow I 

Some nImis like sie.'lv liosks on hlazoneil 
AxvA \<. 

SlIKJ eoiislcljatiolis Ill'-aMIl-ejess in 

nii'^hl ; 
Snni.' lil\-|iale. make fair the eilicieal 

lie], Is. 

In \\li;.-li. () frj.'iid.arl llion envpiicred 
lo-niiihl :' 

Where'er mid yonder inlinile werlds it he. 
Its souls, 1 know, ai-e clothed with 
willies of Hie; 
How woiildsl //,,//r scorn even Imnior- 
lality. : 

III whose (lull rest tlioii coiildsl, not I 
still aspire! j 

"■J'here. Ilomci' raised where ireninscaii- I 
not nod. I 

Hears the orh.'d llimiders of celestial | 

seas; j 

And Shakesix-are. lofty almost as a (iod, | 
Smiles ills lai-.;,^' smile at Aristoj.hanes: 

With eaitlTs siipremesL souls, still 
.tcronped apart. 
<;i-eat souls made perfect in the eternal 
U(»on. 

'I'ilere thy loved (ioethchoMs thee to his 

hear!. 
I.'e-horn to yotilli and all litVs chords 
in tune. 

^Vl'il'' ill liie lihei'al air of that wide 
heaven. 
II(! wliispeis: "roine! we share the 
self-same height : 
To me on ••arth thy nohlesi toils were 
.i,d\cn. 
r.i-olheiN. henceforth, we walk these 
paths of lii;ht." 

Clear and moiv c|..ar the radiant vision 
j,'leamsl 
Mufe hriyhl ^rand shap<>sand -lorions 
faces "low: 



While like dee], fuiTUes (,f victory, heard 
in ih-eani^. 
A thousand heavenly clarions seem to 
l)lou I 

Vill. 

r.Av.Ai:i» TAvr.oi; (ir>uN [,i;.\iii). 

■• .\lol-,. It,;, II o|,r,- I liavr luct .lentil. l,ut 

Willi. .Ill learl Nerd,,! tear now- : Witlieiit 
l"-iiiU able le (leiMoiistralc it. 1 KNOW that iiiy 
soul eaiiii-.t .lie. . . Inilecl, to IMC the iiitinite 
is iiion- er,iii|,n-lit"iisil,le than the finite V 

Tliese wer.ls eceur in a h-lter of HayanI 
Taylni'"s to uie, written not many weeks before 
his .leatli. Tliey have .su'.-''st<-ii Ilie followinj,' 
s.illllet : — 

••Oft have I fronted Death, nor feared 

his mi;;ht I 
'I'd me immortal, this dim Finite seems 
Like some waste low-land, crossed iiy 

wanderini; stieams 
Wliose clouded waves scafce eat(;h our 

yearniii;; siijlit: 
Clearer liy faf. the imperial Inlinite! 
'J'Iioii.;,di itseth -real fadiance only -Icams 
In exaltations of majestic dreams. 
Such dreams portray (Jod's heaven of 

heavens ariuhl I " 
Thou hlis^fnl Faitli! that on death's 

inniiineiit lirink 
Thusiinieh of heaven's mysterious truth 

ha-t told! 
Soiil-life asuire<. ihoiiuh all the viars 

sli.Mild sink: 
■N'ot vain oiir loftiest instinct's upward 

sti-ess. 

Nor hath the immortal liojie shone clear 

and hold. 
To (jiiench at death, his torcli in nolh- 

ini^iiessl 



i:i( ii.\i;i) ii. DANA. -i;x. 
(> i>];i;i' lii-ave eye--: that loiiu- have 
si'enicd to ira/.e 
On our low h'vel from far loft ier days, 
0,1,'rand ^lay head I ;in aureole s.-cmed t(j 
Uird. 
Draw II from the spirit's imre. immacu- 
lal.' raysl 



322 



LATEU rUM.Jl,S. 



At length death's signal sounds! From 
weary eyes 
Pass the pale phantoms of our earth 
and skies ; 
The gray liead droops; the uiuseful lips 
are closed 
On life's vain questionings and more 
vain replies! 

liike some gaunt oak wert thou, that 
lonely stands 
'Mid fallen trunks in outworn desert 
lands ; 
.Still sound at core, with rhythmic leaves 
that stir 
To soft swift touches of aerial hands. 

Ah! long we viewed thee thus, forlornly 
free, 
In that dead grove the sole unravished 
tree ; 
Lo! the dark axe man smites! the oak 
lies low 
That towered in lonely calm o'er laud 
and sea! 

X. 

BI5YAXT dead! 

Lo! there he lies, our Patriarch Poet, 
dead ! 
The solemn angel of eternal peace 
Has waved a wand of mystery o'er his 
head. 
Touched his strong heart, and bade 
his pulses cease. 

Behold in marble quietude he lies ! 
Pallid and cold, divorced from earthly 
l)reath. 
With tranquil brow, lax hands, and 
dreandess eyes. 
Yet the closed lips would seem to smile 
at death. 

Well may they smile; for death, to such 
as he. 
Brings purer freedom, loftier thought 
and aim; 



And, in grand truce with immortality, 

Lifts to song's fadeless heaven his 
star-like fame! 

XI. 

THE POLE OF DEATH. 

IN MEMORY OF SIDXEY LANIER. 

How solemnly on mournful eyes 

The mystic warning rose. 
While o'er the Singer's forehead lies 

A twilight of repose. 

The twilight deepens into night, — 
That night of frozen breath, 

The rigor of w'hose Arctic blight, 
We recognize as — death ! 

But since beyond the polar ice 
Ma;/ shine bright baths of balm; 

Past its grim barriers' last device, 
A crystal-hearted calm, — 

Thus, ice-bound Death that guards so 
well 

His far-off, secret goal. 
May clasp a peace ineffable. 

For some who reach his pole! 

My poet — is it thus with thee, 
Beyond this twilight gray, — 

This frozen blight, this sombre sea, — 
Ah ! hast thou found the Day ? 



THE DEATH OP' HOOD.* 

The maimed and broken warrior lay. 
By his last foeman brought to bay. 

No sounds of battlefield were there — 
The dram's deep bass, the trumpet's 
blai'e. 

* During the ti^rrihle yellcny fever season of 
18TS, (ieneral Hocjil and his wife died at very 
nearly the same time. They left a large 
family of children unprovided for, under cir- 
cumstances which aroused the sympathy of 
the public, north and south. At the South, a 
considerable fund was subsequently laised for 
their support; while northern philanthroiiists, 
we understand, adopted two of the children. 



MEDITATIVE AND RELIGIOUS. 



523 



No lines of swart battalions broke 
Infuriate, thro' the sulphurous smoke. 

But silence held the tainted room 
An ominous hush, an awful gloom, 

>Save M'hen, with feverish moan, he 

stirred. 
And dropped some faint, half-muttered 

word, 

Or outlined in vague, shadoAvy phrase, 
The changeful scenes of perished days ! 

What thoughts on his bewildered Itrain, 
Must then have tiashed their blinding 
pain I 

The past and future, blent in one, — 
Wild chaos round life's setting sun. 

But most his spirit's yearning gaze 
Was fain to pierce the future's haze, 

And haply view what fate should find 
The tender loves he left behind. 

"O God! outworn, despondent, poor, 
I tarry at death's opening door. 

While subtlest ties of sacred birth 
8till bind me to the lives of earth. 

How can I in calm courage die. 
Thrilled by the anguish of a cry 

I know from orphaned lips shall start 
Above a father's pulseless heart '?" 

His eyes, by lingering languors kissed. 
Shone like sad stars thro' autumn mist; 

And all his being felt the stress 
Of helpless passion's bitterness. 

When, from the fever-haunted room. 
The prescient hush, the dreary gloom, 

A blissful hope divinely stole 
O'er the vexed waters of his soul. 

That sank as sank that stormy sea, 
.Subdued by Christ in Galilee. 



It whispered low, with smiling mouth, 
" She is not dead, — thy queenly South. 

And since for her each liberal vein 
Lavished thy life, like vintage rain, 

When round the bursting wine-press 

meet 
The Ionian harvesters' crimsoned feet; 

And since for her no galling curb 
Could bind thy jiatriot will superb. 

Yea! since for her thine all was spent. 
Unmeasured, with a grand content, — 

Soldier, thine orphaned ones shall i-est. 
Serene, on her imperial breast. 

Her faithful arms shall be tl/eir fold. 
In summer's heat, in winter's cold; 

And her proud beauty melt above 
Their weakness in majestic love!" 

Ah! then the expiring hero's face, 
Like Stephen's, glowed with raptm'ous 
grace. 

Mad missiles of a morbid mood. 
Hurled at his heart in solitude, 

Xo longer wounding, round it fell; 
Peace sweetened his supreme farewell ! 

For sure the harmonious hope was true, 
O South! he leaned his faith on you! 

And in clear vision, ere he died. 
Saw its pure promise justified. 



MEDITATIVE AXD RELIGIOUS. 

I. 

CHRIST OX EAIiTII. 

Had we but lived in those mysterious 

days. 
When, a veiled God "mid unregenerate 

men, 
Christ calmly n^alked our devious mortal 

ways. 



J:>4 



LATER POEMS. 



('lownod with griof s Ml lor nio in phu'o 
of bays. — 
All! i\:hl we livod bill ih.'ii: 

Lived 1(1 drink in wilh cM-ry wondiMinu 
l>iv;Uli. 
A ronsi'iimsncss boyund all Innnan 
ken. 
That clothed in tlosh. as lonu eoneeiv(>d 

in fait)). 
AVe viewed tin' Lord of life and Lord of 
death. — 
Ah! had we lived bn; then: 

To mark all Natnre <iniekenin>r an here 
He trod. 
AVhothorthro" golden held, .m- shadowv 
glon. 
"WhiK" a strange sweetness breathed from 

loaf and elod. 
As thro" man's imago tln'y divined their 
(Jod: — 
Ah! had wo lived bnl then! 

AVild birds above him passed on reverent 
wing. 
And savago sovoroigns i>f dark dnno 
or don. 
Ont stole to groot llim with mild mnr- 

nuiring. 
Soft as a nested dovo"s song in the 
spring — 
.\h! had we lived bnt then! 

At ••peace: be still!"" the storm-wind 
eoased to roar. 
And the hilled waters sooniod to sigh 
■■ amen! "" 
Fear — the souPs mightier tempest — 

snrged no more. 
Bn! a strange stillness fell on sea and 
shore : — 
Ah! had we liveil bnt then! 

With onr own ears to hear the words lie 

said. 
(Their mnsie ponthM'ing o"er and o"er 

again!) 
The wine of w isdom <|naff from w isdom"s 

head. 



View the lame leap, and wateh the np- 
rising dead: 
Ah! had we lived bnt then! 

The world grows old. Faith, onee a 
monntain stream. 
Now eraw Is poUnied down a poisonons 
fen : 
The IJothlehom star hath lost its morning 

beam : 
Thy faee. dear Christ, wanes like a 
wasted dream. — 
llow ehangod. how eold sineo then. 

Ah! "lis onr sordid lives whose pronnse 

fails: 
TIu'so langnorons lives of low. lost. 

aimless men: 
Thro" moekery"s mist onr LonFs pnri> 

anreolo pales. 
Yet tenderer than the .'Syrian niuhtin- 

llis voiee sonnds noa- as tlnn. 



IIARVEST-IIOMK. 

(>"i:i; all the fragrant land this harvest 
day. 
A\"hat lumnteons slu'aves are garnered, 
oar and blade! 
AVhethor the heavens bo golden-glad, tir 
gray. — 
And the swart laborers toil in snn or 
shade: — 

Like si>mo fair mother in time's morning 
iH'ams. 
When mortal boanty Inred innnortal 
eyes. 
//(*•(. Farth lies smiling in ethereal 
dreams. 
While her doeii-bosomed breathings 
fall an.l rise! 

Throngh half-closed lids she views o'er 
lawn and lea. 
Kioh-frniiod trees, vast piles of glim- 
mering grain. — 



ji*i|«i:|i8iilijlll||iSM»r 







MHhl'I'Al UK A.\h I!I:IJ<U<jU!->. 



325 



AikI t'rotii I lie iiioiiiitiiiii l*<juii(lari(;s to 

lIU! «(!!!, 

Hoars tlio low riiinbling of \\n: Joa(lt:(l 
wain. 

A iiiaj,'ical niiinniir horn of or-oariwlcop.s, 
JJIfiit, Willi I Ik; j»iin;-lr(;c"H lirif,'(-riii;,' 
iiiiisic Uirili.s 
L'p tli<; brown pastures to llic fra*-kir-ss 

And an<-if;nt cavcnis of Uio lonely 
hillH. 

l-'ar-dashing inswts flicker iluo' tli<; 
grass ; 
'I'll'; liiiinM(;-b<;e with Ijiiily bass (Ii(,iics 

Afarlln; plov(;r pipos; thf; curlews pass 
!n lonj,' litlif; lin<;s across the violet sky: 

A iii<Jlouf;<l lafliancr; rings creation 

round ; 
I'l'-ntyand i»cacc the auspicious season I 

bless; 
Tiie full year pauses proudly, clothed 

and crowned 

In consiujunation of high oiicenliness' 

" ■ I 

All natiue seems to throb with rhythmic 
fires; 
I Ja wns ris(; harmonious; splendid sun- 
sets roll 
iJown to the chorus of invisibh; choirs- 
Strange winds in tune with Earth's 
victorious soul! — 

Thus, on tli(; verge of wint(;r's «lrf;ary ' 
rest, [ 

-Vatiire rejoiees in rare jjomps of 
power; 
To breeze and sunbeam bares h<r prodi- 
gal breast, 
A nd robes in pui7de lier last sliadowless 
hour. 

Ah. when f,ifr-'s autumn nears the eter- ' 
nal main. 
May the heart's granary its rich depths 
unfold, — i 



I5rinniir;d with inimaculate sheaves of 
heavenly grain, 
And (lushed with fruitage of unfadiii" 
goirl ! 



J{K( O.N( n.lATIOX. 
[Frofii itie Soiilli to ih<; S<,r\.U. VVritte/, i», 

view of Hi<; jievv year.] 
J.A.Nf* of th«; .\orth! I waft to thee 
Th«; ,Sf)uth's wariri IxiicilicUc! 
'J'hour;ainest whr;tiall was grief and jain, 
The feverish blood, the toitru'cd brain, 
When through hot veins deliriiun ran, 
'i'hou cam'st, th<; true Samaritan I 

'/'he r'haijn of ruthful grace divine, 
'J'he golden oil and j)(;rfumed wine, 
Have soothed far deefxir wounds tlian 

those 
Which harmed the body's hale n;iJOse; 
On anguished souls dropf>ed purely calm, 
And sweet as Mary's "spikenard" 

halm! 

Lo! now f>'er all the world are firawn 
('li-ar sphiudors of the .Vew-yf;ar's dawn ! 
O \orth ! () South! |f;t warfare e-eas*;! 
/lark I to Unit, juinee whos*; nam*; is 

fjeaee! 
And ej(; time/n n(;w-born child departs, 
lie joined in hands and joined in 

hearts! 

Once wedded thus, () \orlh! O South! 
Shoidd disconi ope her .Marah mouth. 
Smite the foul lips so basely fain 
'J'o outpour hatr;'s salt tidf;s again : 
J.ong rag<;d the storm, long lfMverr;d tli(; 

night,— 
O factioj), fly our morning light! 

rv. 
A V l:\iS \\. irv.M.v. 
Thk fresh spring biu'geoiis int,r> bloom — 
Aiirj Karth with all her vr-rnal charms 
Lies like a (pieenly bride enclasped 
Within her heavenly bridegroom's 
arms ; 



32G 



LAri:i: poems. 



The storjius that nuctl Ikim- sunk to 

Frcoil rivulets woavc a l)liih<'souu' lay, 
Aiul lilissl'ul Natuiv softly siuiis 
I'fohnliugs of luT poifi'rt ilay I 

MfanwhiK' tln'tc's not a brcc/t' that 
thrills 
l.caf. luiil, and llowiT with ucnial 
kiss. — 
\\ hiili (loos not hit'atlu' //(// niystio hoiH', 
Oh, soul of I'aliu^tMU'sis: — 

(ihuu'O \\lu>iv \vt' may, tho 8yiulH)ls rise 

Of loftii'r loves and lives to be: — 
77(/\>>' iiHinu lions f<i>ritit/-thiii- .•nfiii!< to 

Tin skirls, of inniiortalit;/ .' 



I iii;i--n \N i;\ Al. 1 A 1H>N. 
(> CiiinsrtAN sol(lii>rI shonUlst thou rue 
Life and its toils, as others do — 
AVear a satl frown from day to day. 
And garU thy soul in hodden yi-ay ".' 
O rather sliotddst thou snnle elate, 
rnquelled by sin, umiwed by hate. — 
Thy lofty-statured siurit ilress 
In moods of royal staleliness; — 
For say. what serviee so divine 
As that, all! warrior heart, of thine, 
lliiih idedji'ed alike Ihrouiih gain ov loss. 
To thy brave banner of the eross ? 

Yt\i! what hast tlioit todc>\vith i;looni. 
\\'hose footsteps spurn the I'oiupu'red 

tomh '.' 
Thou that thi\>ugh dreariest dark eau 

S(H' 

A smiling immoilality ".' 

Leave to the mournful doubting slave. 
Who deems tht> vvlu>le wan earth a grave. 
Aeross whose dusky mounds forlorn 
Can rise no resurreetiiMi morn. 
The sombre mien, the funeral weed. 
That darkly mati-h so dark a ereetl; 
But be t/ii/ brow turned l)right on all. 
Thy voiee like some elear elarion call, 



Tealing o'er life's tumultuous van 
The keynote of the lu>pes of man, 
\\ iiiK> o'er thee tlames thri)iigh gain, 

through loss, — 
Thai faileless synd>ol of the eross. 



soi.i ri Di:; in vol ru vnd AtJi:, 

Ln youth we shrink t'roui soliiuile! 

Its quiet ways we shun. 
Boeause our hearts are fain to danee 

With others' in the sun; — 
Life's neetar bid>bHng brightly up. 
O'erllowi'ih toward I'ur brother's eup. 

In age we shrink from solitude. 

Heeanse our Uoil is there; 
And something in his •• still, small voiet>" 

Doth bid our soids '• beware I" 
Who llies from (Jod and eonscienei'. eau 
lint seek his fellow -sinner — man! 

vit. 
i>i;mai . 

AVi': look witli seorn on Peter's thriee- 

told lie: 
Boldly we sa\ , "" IJood hrotherl you 

nor 1, 
So near the saered Lord, the Christ. 

indeed. 
Had dated His name and marvellous 

gr;u'e deny." 

Oh, futile boast! (>h, haughty lips, lie 

duinhl 
lulu'ralded by boisterous trumi> or 

drum. 
How oft "nud silent eves and midnight 

ehimes, 
Vaiidy to us our pleading Lord hath 

eome — 

Knoeked at our hearts, and striven to 

enter there: 
But we poor slaves of mortal sin and eare. 
Simk in deep sloth, or bound by 

spiritual sleep, 
Heard not the voiee divine, the tender 

prayer! 



MEhnWllVt: AM) iiELiciors. 



Alil wi'll liir II- il Miiih' hill' >|iriiiu-l iilc 
liiiiir 



IX. 

iiiK SI im;i;\ii; iioii:. 



K.-.ill, .tillin;.> l.rii,... uilhMMMl,Mlsl,i,H. ,,.,,,,,,,,,, ,,,„„„,.,„ |,„„r u I,..., ;.ll litV's 
"•"'■^'"'"'•'■: Joy. Mini |.;,in^ 

'I'd our r;ii>c(l \ivioii seem 
ISiil ;is llii' llirl<r'riii'4 |iIimiiIoiii lliitl 
li'iii;iiii> 
Of some licitd iiii<liii'4lil ilri'iiiiil 

'I'lici'i' ••oini's all lioiir vvln-ii r:irl li rcccilcs 
so i';u', 

lis wiistcd wuvcriiiff ray 
Wanes If) I lie '^liostly ])all()r of a sUir 

.Mcri;i'(| ill tli<' milky way. 

Set, oil llic siiarp, slic<'r siiiiiinjl llial 
(li\i(lcs 
liiiinortal truth iroiii iiioiLal I'aiitiisic; 
\\C hiar I hi' inoaiiiiii; of tiiiic's iimfllfd 

ti.ll'S 

I II liira.lllclcss (lislalicr llic I 

I'asf passions — lo\i"-, ainhilions ami 
despairs, 
Acifjss \\w f'X]»ii'inu swell 
Scml Ihro' v<iid space, like waffs of 
Let licaii airs. 
X'auiic \()iccs ol' farewell. 

All, llieiil from life's loni^-liaiinfed 
dream we part . 
Ii'oiiseil a. a child new-horn. 



If through warm leais a late remorse 
may slii'd. 
Our walvciied souls put forth o//r 
hea\ I'lily llow crl 

VIII. 
I.KS'-MN.dl srii\llSS|().\. 

\\\.\ ^'oi >si I . hound to Mecca, day hy 

.la> 
Toiled hravcly o'er the desert's Ijery 

was. 
Till its hot sands and Mint-souii courses 

I'resscd on the hroiijered sandals \\hicij 

he wore, 
Scoreliiiiii and ciilfinj^! at liie last they 

fell 
JyOosely aiiroad ; — lie seemed to fare 

fliioii;^]! hell, 
80 hlistcriiiK now, the (laine-liued rocks 

and (Inst: — 
'■() inigiify .Mlali!" cried lie, '"arf Uioii 

just. 
To let thy failiifiil pili^rim, serving thee. 
Pass onward, Miiis, in nameless a^oiiy ".'" 
With hitter Ihoiij^hts and half-rebellious 

mind 
II. 

hehind. 
And still ill Ihat dark temper — far 

from Israel 

Went w he'-e his hretliren midst the 

holy place 
Kneeled. Iiy the ('(idh(i\s saiictjly eii- 

Ihralled; — 
I,(pI there lie marked a smillen wretch 

w ho era w led 
.Nearer liie shrine, on hlecdin'4 hands 

and knees, 
^'et his deep eyes wen; stars of prayer 

and peace ; — 
.\iid ah. how ^'oiissuf's heart rcmorsc;- 

ftil heat, 



•fl. at leli'^th, the desert sanils We fed I 1h> pulses of t he eternal heart 



Thr. 



hro' the elernal morn. 



A ( IIIMSlMAs l,\ i;l( . 

Tiio' the Earth with aiic; seems whitened, 

.\nd her tresses hoary and old 
No loni,'cr are fliisheil and hri^litened 

Hy t,dintin.i^s of brown or j;old, 
A \(iice from the Syrian hi;^]ilaiids, 

O'er waters that flash and stir, 
IJy the belts of their tropic islands, 

SI ill sin!,'elli of joy to her! 

A son'4 which the centuries hallow! 
ThoU!,di softer than April rain 



To liiid lie lacked not only shoes, but — 'i'hat sowcth on field and fallow. 



feet! 



A si>ell tiial shall rise in :;raiii 



:i28 



/..ivv;/.' /'()/■; .!/>-. 



Vol (looi> as tlio sort-slrain ohaiUinl 

On iho tluotuaut vuvan-lyiv. 
l>y tho uvatiiral wost-winil hanntod. 

With llio puls>' ot" his soul on \\\v\ 

A proiuiso to lilt tho lowly. — 

■l\< wooil tho soul of its taros. 
Aiul ohanjio into harmonios holy 

Tho (Usoonl ot" tioroo ilospairs: 
A ulory of hij;h Kvanjiols. 

Oi vhythmioal storms and oahns; 
All hail to tho voioos of ansiols. 

lloanl ovor tho starlit palms! 

A hyn\n of hopo to tho asjos. 

Tho musio of iloalhloss trust. 
No fivnzy of mortal rajivs 

(.^an darkon with ilouht or dust; 
A raptuiv of high ovangols. 

Uut oontrod in saorod oalmsl 
Ah I still tho ohorus of ausiols 

riuills ovor tho Uothlohom pahnsi 

Still horaKls tho day-spriusi" tondor. 

That novor oan molt or oloso. 
Till tho noon of its ilooponing splondor 

i.Hit-l>loon\s. liko a mystio ivso. 
Whoso potals aiv nus supornal 

i^f lovo that hath all sntHoinl.— 
And whoso hoart is tho sii-aoo otornal. 

(.>f tho fatlunnloss poaoo of I'hristI 

\!. 

PiiKOi r.H dooponiuj; ilust and divary 

doarth 
I walk tho darkonod wastos of oanh. 
A woary pilgrim soiv Ivsot, 
l\v hoiH^loss griofs aiiil storn ivgivt. 

With hwkon statY and tattotvd shoon 
I wandor ^low fivn\ dawn to nv^on — 
Kivm arid nv>on till dow-inxpoarUnl. 
Palo twilight stoals aoi\^s tho world. 

Yot son\otin\os thwnigh dim ovonUig 

oahns 
I oatoh tho gloan\ of distant jvUms; 
.Vud hoar, far otY. a tnystio soa 
Divino as wavos on l^.aliUv. 



Pewhanw thivugh \>aths miknown. 

forlorn. 
I still may ivaoh an i>riont morn; 
To rost whon Kastor hivo/os stir. 
Around tho saorod sopulohio. 

xu. 

PKM II . 

Nkai; Jabhok Fonl. tnulnod with sat-ivd 

might. 
Tho patriaivh sirovo with oin that silonl 

oamo. 
Ohsonroly linmod ag-ainst iho twilight 

tlamo — 
Strovo thix>' slow watohosof tho marvol- 

lons night ! 

'* t'HjjfirW thhii' arms, for lo.' 'tis mornim 

Ihjhtr 
Spako tho woini strangiM"! — " >i(i»/. but 

iiniiit Itw chiiiti. 
Miulo iiood thro' strife iliri)H\ ami bhss 

mft Httmi'y 
'Ere yft thoH fUH'st from doub{t'ul chisi> 

«n»«f si<jht!'^ 

Thus Jaooh. in tho slowly ohhing swoll 
».>f powor anil passion. — yoarning still 

to mai'k 
That wix^stlor's faoo lvtwi>on tho dawr. 

and dark: 

.\g-ain. " tritt thou not bless uiv:*" . . . 

»/« <r.' and ,«/<(».'" 
On-ippod a still voioo. what tinio tho 

now-born ilay 
llalood an angvl's hoad at IVnnol! 

xiu. 
rvriKNiK. 
SiiK hath no Ivauty in horfaoo. 

ri\loss tho ohastouiHl swootnoss thoiv 
-Vud ujook long-sufforing yiold a gnuv 
To n\ako hor mournful foatuivs fair. 

Shunnod by tho g^iy. tho pivud. tho 
young. 
Slio i\v\ms tluwigh dim ntisholtoiiHl 
wavs; 



MKDri'ATlVE AND ni: LKI IUU». 



329 



N(ir lovcf's vow, nor ll;itli'i'iM-'s (oii^^iic, 
Urines iiiiisic III lii'i- sdlicr thiys. 

At. Im'sI., her skies iin^ cloudcil o'er, 
Ami ol'l. sIk- I'ronls I lie, s(Jiifj;iiii,' sled, 

( »r Inls on s()in(! (ciiiiK'sliioiis slioi'e 
'I'lie slorni-Wiives liisli lier iiiiUed I'eel ! 

Where'er she sli'iiys, <ir iiiiisiiej, stinids 
l!y loiii'soMK! hciich, liy ( iirlMiieiit, 
marl., — 

\Ve see her pale, hali'-l reiniiloiis hands 
Crossed hnmhlyo'er her aeiiinjj; heart. 

Williin. ;i seercL pain siie hears, 
A p;iiM loo d(vp Id lee! I lir halm 

All A |iril s|iiiil liiids in I. ears, — 
A Ills I all eni'rless oriels are calm! 

\v{ in her passionless sl,ren,i;lh sniirenie, 
I)esi>aii' heyonil iier iiathway Hies, 

Awed liy I he sollly sicadt'asi, heani 
()l'sa(l, hill heaven-enaniored eyes! 

Who jianse lo i^reet, her, vajxiiely seem 
'I'oiiehed liy (im^ wal'ts ol' holier air. 

Ah those who in some mystic dream 
'I'idk wilh liie angels unaware! 

NIV. 

riii; i,Airi;i£ noAcio. 
Wi", have passed the noonday suinniit, 

Wr liaAC left the noonday luMit, 
Ami dnw II the liillsi<le slowly 

I )cscriid niir weary I'eel. 
\ r\ I h<' i'\ iiiinn airs ar(! halmy, 

\iid 1 1 \eninn shadows sweet. 

< >iir siiiiimrr's lalrsi, roses 

I ,ay w illifi'i'd loiiiv aj^o; 
A lid (Vrii I he I lowers ol' an! iinin 

Seaicc keep theii' nudlowfd i^low. 
^ Cl a pi'acel'nl season woos us 

V.vr I he I line ol' slm'ins and snow. 

I.ikr the Inidrr l wiliuhl weather 
W'lirii III!' (oil ol' <lay is don(% 

And \\i' I'c'id Ihr hliss of (piiet. 

( »ur r(iiiNl;iiil hiMils have won — 

W'lirii Ihe vesper plaiH'l hhishes. 
Kissed hy I he dyiiiu sun. 



So falls that tranquil season. 

Dew-like, on soul and si^ht, 
KaillTs silvery slai' rise; hlended 

With memory's siuiset lif^ht, 
Wherein lih; pauses softly 

Aloiif^ the verj;!' of ni,i;ht. 

XV. 

(iAI'l'AMA. 

.Sii;\'i;n weary I'enliiries ei'c onr star-like 
Christ 
Uose on the clouded heavens of mortal 

failh 
(Ja.nliima came, the stern liisli priest 
of death, 
Ohiivion's somhre, dark evaiii^elisl. 
Millions of souls lialh this dread creed 
cnliced 
To wander lost lhronL;h realms of hale- 

fiil hrealh, 
(Jlioiil haiinled, rife with shapes of sin 
.'iiid seal h, 
JSIonsi rolls, yel dim, as hii'lhs of niid- 
iiii;lit mist: 

All life, he laii-ht, hath Ixeii, all life 
iriiisl he 
Aeeiirsed! the eift, of demons! All 
ilelieht 
Li(\s at t he far-ol'f <(oal of pulseless peace. 



Norr;. — We yielil to ncme in our cdrilial 
ailiiilnil ii)ii 111' Mr. IMwiii Aniiild'H " l,inlit 
of .Asia ; " l>nl we i-et;;ir(l I li:il. iiioHl cloiiuont, 
liiillielic, :mil licaiil il ill piMin, cliicfly as a 
poem — anil liy no iiie;iii» ;is :in iilisolulely 
aiiliioril alive jircseiiliitioii of <iaulaiiia'H<Tei'(l, 
or its teiiileiicii^s. It- even seems to us Hiat 
Mr. .Aruolil is liimself somewliat in tlie tiark as 
to tlicse miUlers. 't'lin " proilijiious contro- 
vei-HyamouK tlie eniiliteln rcKanl todaiil.'iiiia's 
iio<!lrines," Mr. Arnolil conlronts cliielly I'V liis 
own llrm conviclion IIkiI "ji lliinl of manluiiil 
woiilil never li:ive tieeii liioiinlit to lielicvc in 
lihiiilv .•ilisliMelioiis, or ill iiolliinj,'ness, as llio 
I'rowii III I'.eint;!" .in coiilniiri', wc (MUnot 

fiiirly i;iiiore llieopini I' those OrifiiitalistH 

wlio ni;iliil;iin, that " Niiviiiia" is essentially 
iiolhinKiiess ; .•iiiil moreover, thnl the idea 
involveil In it has a peculiar ('liarni for llio 
Iliiiiti iImiI. 



330 



LATER PUEMti. 



" Pray," sighed he, "that this breath of 

men shall cease; 
Our hell is earth, our heaven eternal 

night; 
Our only godhead vague Nonentity!" 

XVI. 
CHKIST. 

The soul's physician thus the soul would 
kill. 
The soul's high priest its heaven- 
bound pinions stay, 
Bring from fresh beauty chaos, night 
from day, 
Despair from trust, from all good prom- 
ise ill; 
The outworn heart and sickened senses 
still 
Must shroud heaven's life in fogs of 

foul decay. 
Veil the swift angel, love, and hidetiie 
ray 
Born of God's smile with masks of mor- 
bid will : — 

But Truth, and Truth's great Master 

cannot die; 

While Love, the seraph, free of wings 

and eyes, 

Upsweeps the realm of calm immensity. 

A thousand times our buried Christ 

shall rise 
In prayerful souls to hush their 
anguished sighs. 
And dawn, not darkness, rule o'er earth 
and sky. 

XVII. 
A AVIXTEK HYMX. 

O WEARY winds! O winds that wail! 

O'er desert fields and ice-locked rills! 
O heavens that brood so cold and pale 

Above the frozen Norland hills! 

Nature is like some sorrowing soul. 
Robed in a garb of dreariest woe; — 

She cannot see her vernal goal 

Through ghostly veils of mist and 
snow : — 



Her pulse beats low; through all her 
veins 
Scarce can the sluggish life-blood 
start ; 
What feeble, faltering heat sustains 
The half-numbed forces of her heart! 

Above, despondent eyes she lifts. 

To view the sun-ray's dubious birth; 
Beneath she marks the storm-piled drifts 

About a waste bewildering earth! 

Ah, stricken Mother ! hast thou lost 
All memory of the germs that rest 

Untouched by tempest, rain, or frost. 
Shrined in thine own immortal breast '? 

Bend, bend thine ear; yea, bend and 
hear, — 
Despite the winds' and woodlands' 
strife, — 
Deep in Earth's bosom, faint and clear. 
The far-off murmurous hints of life: — 

The sound of waves in whispering flow; 

Of seeds that stir in dreams of light. 
Whose sweetness mocks the shrouded 
snow. 
Whose radiance smiles at death and 
night ; 

So, Christian spirit ! wrapt in grief, — 
Beneath tltij misery's frozen sod. 

Love works, to burst in flower and leaf. 
On some fair spring-dawn fresh from 
God! 

XVIII. 
THE THREE URXS. 

List to an Arab parable, wherein 
The beauty of the Orient fancy shrines 
A star-like truth, the iconoclastic West 
Is blind to see. its shrewd material vision 
Bent over on the foulest soils of earth. 
If only gold may gild them! Hear and 
learn ! 

Nimroud, the king to whom his four- 
score years 

Had brought a wisdom pure as his white 
locks, 



MEDITATIVE AND RELIGIOUS. 



331 



(And spotless t ht>y ;is snow on Caucasus !) 
One morn coninKindccl his three sons to 

j^race 
His presence; ehainl)ei'; there in front of 

cacli 
A mighty urn, sealed witli a mystic seal, 
Was duly set — the one of burnished 

gold. 
Blazed like an August noon — of amber 

fair 
The other — biU, the third (dull as a 

cloud 
Seen 'gainst the briglit flash of a distant 

\va\e. 
Or 'twixt the glittering tree-tops), 

seemed, in form, 
A rugged mould wrought from the com- 
mon earth. 

" Choose thou, my eldest," said the 

king, deep-breathed, 
*' Choose thou amongst these urns, the 

urn which seems 
To thee most precious," — whereupon he 

chose 
The Vase of Gold, which bore in jewelled 

flame. 
Clear leaping, the word " Empire," — 

opened it. 
And found beneath a deadly, vaporous 

fume, 
(Whicli on tlie instant sickened heart 

and s(>nse). — 
Nought but a bubbling tide of vital 

blood, 
Hot, as appeared, tliat moment from the 

veins 
Of nuu'dcrcd manhood. The fair amber 

vase, 
Willi "(iLORY" written on it — '"this 

for me ! ' ' 
Exclaimed the second prince, with eager 

eyes. 
And feverish hands clasping his treasure 

close, — 
Too close, alas! for as he spake, theiu'u 
Crashed on his breast, and bruised ami 

tortured it, 
And a rar(> dust, the ashes of great mcMi, 



Dead centuries since, rose from its sljat- 

tered biUk 
Pungent, and yet so liglit the feeblest 

puff 
Of failing wind hath shorn and scattered 

them 
Into vague air. One vase alone re- 
mained. 
Which the third son unsealing, found 

therein. 
Deep-graven, glittering like a planet 

Ivcon, 
Thro' gulfs of envious darkness the sole 

name 
Of God, — '• which name, O! princes,'' 

said the king, 
"Doth sanctify yon vase of common 

earth 
Above all precious metals sought of 

men. 
Since but one letter of that sacred 

three. 
Outweighs all worlds, from the mild star 

of eve. 
Shining on love, to those mysterious 

orbs. 
Which gird the pathway of the Pleiadef ." 

XIX. 
ON THE DECLINE OF FAITH. 

As in some half-burned forest, one by 

one. 
We catcli far echoes on the doleful 

breeze. 
Born of the downfall of its ruined 

trees ; 
While even thro" tliose which stand, 

slow shudderings run, 
As if Fate's ruthless hand were laid 

thereon ; 
So, in a world sore-smitten by foul dis- 
ease, 
— That Pest, called Doubt — we mark by 

slow degrees. 
The fall of many a faith that wooed the 

sun : 
Some, with low sigh of parting bough, 

or leaf. 



LATKli t'OEMS. 



StnUn. quivorUig »lo\v»»\V5Vi\i to tho alw 

S(>n\o loHor iVoMy. g»\>;»niuji to\\;u\l thoir 

Whilo souio hiv.'ul-ooutnrioil siiwvihs of 

oKl IVliof. 
S;>piV(l as by luv. ilolVaimxHi. oh;>nv»l. 

iUsoiv\\no»K 
Fall with a loud orash. auvl louji' rovorbor- 

aut Ihh>u\I 

Thus, fatovl hour by h»MU-. n\oiv piutvt 

i;K>ou\ tho wau spaoos. whouoo. a powor 

to bWs, 
I'p biu^iXH^uovi oi\oo. iu li'fiuv or statoli- 

uoss. 
Souio iMv*Hl diviuo. olWpriujiof light ami 

air; 
What thou^' auil nutst wovioUl to blank 

«los\vur. 
l>ohoMi»v«; <^'0*l llimsolC wax loss aud 

loss. 
raUnl iu tho skoptioal ston»i-v>loud*s 

whirl juul suvss. 
Pill all is Uvst — lovo. tvvoivuoo. Uo\H\ 

and pnjyor. 
«.> u»au! whoii faith suoovnulvj. aud 

ivasou ivols. 
Uofoiv sotuo innMous. K^ld kvuwlast. 
Tvun> to thy hoart tliat »ra,N\>n>< uot» Imt 

C»\\Hl$oUausivI shnnos v>orisli! !$tm{h<er 
iustiuot sitith), 

tMtijmt /o (nH^ nmi tixHl vcitlhoM ttut^ 

XX. 

TttK vi.riM.vTK Twrsr. 

TiK ixui it\ tho wino-iMVSs of thy wnuU 
divino. 
Mj' crushtHl l\o\vs ih\H>i\ Uko o^do 
sMul \vv>rthloss nuist. 
That lovo and u\oivy. FiUhor! still atv 
thi»u\ 
With iVY<>rvut soul. V t rust ! 



Thovvgh all my Ufo bo shattonnl by thiuo 
iix\ 
Tho tuystio whirlwiud of th\ will 
august. 
Still, fivm tho diu. iho darkuoss aud tho 
tiiv. 
I lift luy siM\s; of trust I 

Tho' foos assail u»oI yoa. withiu. with- 
out I 
llarivw luy hoart. atul lunl its joys iu 
dust. 
No foivoful foar. i\or fnvud of tivaohoixnis 
doubt. 
IMsarms my buokloivd trust! 

Though u\y Kv«t yoa»-s Ih' w rapjvd iu 
Aivtio oloud. 
Ami ttriof on mo hath wroakovl hor 
ruthloss lust. 
Still. Uko au augx^l's faiv alnno a shi\Mid 
Smilos my wlostial trust ! 

Tho\ Lo»\l! thou wi^u-'st a mask of hato 

('tWOldd StHMuV 

Ami for a tiu\o. I think — as mortals 
must — 
That m;usk shall tuolt. as u\oltvS a uight- 
n»atv divani. 
l>ofoiv n\y t.>riont trust! 

Yoa! tho* Thou slay uu\ at\d supino. I 
oi>wor. 
Ikwrt-pioiwHl aiul blotHliug fi\M»\ tho 
liory thrust. — 
I know thoiv bidos in hoa\ oi\ a glorious 
hour. 
To oivw u my sju'rxnl trust ! 

•* V \ vrriK wmt.K \ vxw woii.u 

I.lMiKU YKV." 

A i.vrri.K whilo (my hfoisalnuv*t sot!) 
I fain wouUl jvuiso along tho downward 

w;«y. 
Musing an hour in this sad sunsot- 

\M\ilo. Swwt! our oyos with tondor toars 
aiv w ot ; 
A littlo hour I fain wxHild lingvr yot. 



MEhnwn 17-; and iH'Jjiikh's. 



A IIU.I<! vvliilc I l;iiii Udiild liii^ci' 



x X ri . 
nil, i(, III M<i\((i,f)(ii;K. 



Allforlovc'M.Hukr, lorlov.M,;,! .iinnoi , ^,^^ ;, ,,„ n^,,, , |„. ,|„,.y oi' manhood haH 



liri'; 



|.;i.KSi'(l, 



''''""'-■'' '"'V'' >"""' '"• '''•'"'' '"'"' Tl.;a ilH purpos.., ils |,;,,Hsioii, i(,s 

s'liiili H dcHin', 

Ami li<>|/c IjiiH l'ii.(lc.(l to ii, vii^^iic re 



A lilllr wliili' I hiiii would linger yi'l. 

A lit III- uliilc I r;iiii would liii;^<T licii' 
K<liiildl vvlio kiiowH wiiiil. HlifiiiL 

mVHtlTioilH l)!irH 



iiiii.'lil , 
Have, ill! |>alcd uilli I Im^ iVrvor thai IVd 
I Ill-Ill al. las!., 
Ah Mic l,\vilit;lil. coiiKrH down witli l.ln- 
iiitilil. '.' 



fan il, 1)1- I liavir livi-d, dr<aiin-il, and 
laliiind in vain — 
"I'wixl moiiIm lliat, love, may risi- in \ '|-||;,| ,.,|„,\,. „|,.^ iiiironqM. rid and 



ol licr Htai'H '.' 



l.riL;lil, 



Nor can lovi- dnin I In- I;m-i- of dral li is '■ 'IIh- proud ",'oa.! I had aiim-d al, is laiinl 

lair; 
A lillli- uhili- I slill would lin-'i-r lii-n;. 



A lillli- whili- I yi-ani In iiold Ihi-i- 

I'asl, 
Ihind loi'krd ill hand, and loyal li'-arl 

lo hi-arl : 
(< ) |ii(yin^ ' lirisl! Iliom- woi-l'nl words, 

'• II r purl !") 
So i-n- I In- darkni-MH fall, I In- li^hl. hi- 

jianl, 
A lillli- uhili- I lain uoiild hold Ihi-i- 

hrl. 



I' 

in;.; iny pain, 
Ah l,li(- I wilij^lil- (-oiiK-H down wilh IIh- 
iii;.dil. ? 

<'an il, III- Ihal. my hopi-s, which Hfrmcil. 
iiohli- and fair, 
VV'crc prci|cHtiiii-d lo miiili- v and 
hlij^dil,? 
Ah! Ha,d disi-nchanl nicnl I Ihal hids im- 
hi-wari- 
Or a Iwili'dil, uhicli hcralils I In- ni-_dil,! 



The "lad day-,. I In- hravc yearn Ihal wi-n- 
In I y and Ion '.^ 
A lillli- w hill-, w In-n iiiidil and lv\ili^dil i l|o\\ I, hey fade on va;j;i|e nieinory'H 



iid.l,! 



hiinl, our liiokeii years: hefore, the i And Iheir joys arc like i-cl 



IOCS ol iiini 



aiil soil'. 



Weird wonder of I he last, imfal homed As t he, I \\ i liidil, comes down uilh liii 



sleep. 
.\ hull- while I Hiill uonid da-p lliee. 

Swci-I ; 
A hull- while, wlicn ni;;lil and lwili;;hl. 

mei-l. 

A lilllc while I fain would liirji-r here; 
I'lclioldl who knows whal. soul ilivid 

iiii; hars 
I'iarlirs failhfiil lo\cs may pari in 
oilier Mlais '.' 
Nor can love deem Ihe face of dealh is 

fair: 
A lillli- while I Hiill would lin^^ci- Iku'c. 



iiitdil ! 

All Ihe p:c,l is o'crshadowcd, Ihe preseiil, 
is dim, 
Anil could earllTs fairesi fiiliiie rc- 

({llilc 

'I'lie worn spirit thai swoons, the racked 
senses I hat sw im, 
III thisdrcid of lh(- 1 wiliudil and niu'iil, '.' 

'i'here is dew oil my raimenl ; llie sea. 
winds wail low. 
Ah lost hinls. wafti-d wave- ward in 
llinld. 



}}a4 LATEli rOEMk^. 



Ami all \i\turo grows i-oltl. as luy hrart Or lirioht wiih smiinu>r, or lialc wiutor's 

ill its wKi', (TOW u 

A! ilu- aiJMMU oi' iwiliLiht aiul ui,i;hl ! ; Tr,".- «mi lu-r bn>\vs in slcfp; 

So iiii^li llu' (lawn of souic i\i'\\ . iuai\t-l- 

Froiu till' r.'aliu of dcail suiisoi st-afcc loii^ hiflh, 

darki'ih'tl as \(>i j IM Kh>U to lu'avcn, still rlasiu-ii in arms 

OvtM- hills niisi-cnshroiuliMl and while, | of carllil 

A dt'op sii>h of iitotVabU', inourwf td n'mot , i 

SoiMus (-\l\al(Hi "iwiM Ih.' iw iii^lii and 1 I'i'ay yoii. w lu'ii the shadow of death 

uiohi! draws ii,-ar. 

(iivc. iiivo mo ficodoiu for luv last, faint 

OI tluMi ;;rnins of art I 1 havo wor- hivath: 

shippi'd and hlcssod; Uoneath (uhI's hhoral hcaxcn 1 conld 

(>! thon soul of all hcanty and li.uhl ! not foar. 

Lift m(> ni> ii\ thino arms, liivo nu- His imM'cifnl w inds would diy m\ latest 

warntth from thy hreast. tear, 

Kre the twilij^ht ho merged in the llis sunshine soften death, 

niuht I And some fair shroils of *>nr dear (>arth's 

delight 

i.i-i medraw from th> ho-oiu mii;uailons ^.li„^. ,.,„„ni ,|ie spirit in her iipwaiil 

hreailu ' High,. 

And for once, on >on^"s mniermost ' 

heii^ht. 1 \MV. 

I may ehatU to the nations sneh umsie i ims 

in death 

As shall moek at the twili^hi and 

niiiht I 



riii; sii \iM>\\ Of iM V rii. 



V \n>Mi:Nr's srloam, a hint of snnnier 
weather, 
I Home from the storm-elonds and the 
will. I mists i>f fate; 

Dawtiod. with a tender " IVradventure" 
hither, 
I iM;\N yon, wht>n the shad>>w of death ,\ >;oft '• Terehaneo it is not yet too 

draws nigh, late I "' 

To bear me ont biMieath the nnmeasnred I 

heaxen; And so a transient onten magnifying, 

1 fain wimlil hear the pine trees" shm»- My sonl wonUl fain pass brightened. 

beivms sigh. I unto thine; 

.Vt\d wateh the elond llotillas drifteil | lUu to my half-fonned thought eomes 
high. truth replying: 

Hv slow . soft bivozos driven '"No life monnts baekwai\l from its 

Due south. piMvhaueo towai\l realms of 1 wan deeline." 

tropic haluis. 
And the warm fragranee of the Syrian Would'st thon expoet, drear winter, 



pahn> 



ashen, sober, 
Vo burn with blushes of a spring-tido 
1 pray you, when the shadow i>f death notm ".' 

eomesdowti, \Vonld"st thonexpeet the h.eetie-ehoeked 

(.">h I lay u\o eloso to nature's pulses doop. Oetober 

Whether Iter breast with autumn tittts To eateh the virginal fivshuoss of 

he brown. vonug Juno? 



MEJJl 1 'A 1 7 VE A NJJ R KL I (J I (J U.S. 



335 



All morul llvns like tlif, year's seasons 

I'ass I'roMi Micii' May duvvii and ivuc 

sumiii(!r's Ijjooiii, 
Down lo flic, (lay when aiit.uniii winds 

(liss(!V(!r 
LilVs latcsl, slicavcs lo slrcw l.iicni 

n<;ar a loinli. 



And lli.'ii death looms, Mial pililcss ;,'nni 
Dcrcinhcr. 
IJi'inginy cold tears, a winding shcfit 
like snow, 
Last, a (;arvcd stone, whi.'li I. ids the. 
woi'ld rcni(!inhcr 
One or its coinil.hiss niyriads sl.'ciw hc- 
low. 




"Aly Hioujrliu an; wmikIci iu- mi Ihi' vci«c of ilrc'ims, 
Wllilt; lower, IcohliT, llil llic flicsidc t;l(aiiis."' 



What inom-nru! inlhicnrr chills my soid 
t()-niLclil :' 
I walch Ihc r\|ii)ini,' Mamcs Ihal, lade 
and iaii, 
P'roin which oulica]) va;;iic shal'ls of 
Jirrowy li.Ljht, 
Pursncd hy spectral shadows on Ihc 
wall. 



NXV. 

'fill': SHADOWS o.v im; wai.i,. 

My tlioniiJils arc wandcrim; on (he vcrj^c* 
of drcatns. 
Mist-laden, iL^ray, and sondire as a 
pall, 
^\■llil<• lower, feehler. Hit the (iresidi; 
.i,deams. 
And diirker t hose (piainl siiadovvs on 
tlie wall. 



336 



LATER rOEMS. 



Tho old sjulvoioo (fniiijiht with Iho oou- 
lurios' toar.s) 
TIkU stvnis Ihroujiii iiilinilc siiacoand 
linio to fall. 
Kaiiil wilh tho doubts and i^riof of aii- 
liquo yoars. 
Years thai arc dim as shadows on the 
wall: 

The old sad \ oii'o is w liispcriug to my 
heart : 
^laiTs lit'i', phantasmal. \aiu. illusive 
all. 
I>eholds too soon its eloud-t'oiuidations 
pa It. 
Mollini: like uudnii;ht shadows on the 
wall. 

Too soon the noblest passions, worn and 
old. 
IMe. or uiow didled and lauunid past 
reeall: 
Evi'U love may waite in memoty's twi- 
liclit I'old. 
8ad. wavi'iiiiii'. wan. as shadow son the 
wall. 

And ol't the loftiest natiuv's loftiest aim. 
lleaviMi-soariusi' onee. wide as this 
earthly ball. 
Siidvs. a tamed eaj^le o'er whose eyes of 
tlaine 
The death-tilms steal like shadows on 
the wall. 

A subtler voiet' whispers the eonseious 
.soul. 
"What of hiiih hopes whieli \w\i\ thij 
youth in thrall '.' 
\Vher<- llash tlnj ehariot wheels, where 
shines thit sioal '.' '" 
The moekim; shadows answer from 
the wall. 

With deeiHMiiiiu: dusk and faded tlame 
they urow 
Fantastii' phantoms. hoviMMUir over all 
The tron\ulous space, or lliekerin-i' to 
and fro 
In w ild imearlhlv antit's on the wall. 



Till as the last slow emhi>r drojis in 
j^loom. 
Like vassals luinyim;- throuuh some 
wizard's hall. 
Wliirlinj;they pass, and darkness haunts 
tho room. 
No life. iu>t even a shadow on the 
wall! 

wvi. 
coNsrviMAriM i:sT. 
i'vi-; <lom> with all the wi>rld eau liive. 

AVhate'er its kind or measure. 
((> Christ I what, paltry lives we live 

If (oil be lord, or pleasure I). 
.Vlas! I only yoarn for sleep, 

("aim rest for fovereil riot — 
The saered sleep, the shadows deep, 

Of death's majestie (piiet. 

I've done with all oiu' earth-life lends — 

l-'alse hopes and wild ambitions. 
Krilliant beuinuin^s. futile omls. 

And louii-postponed fruitions. 
Thost' ho!Un\ shows dissemblimi' truth, 

\"ain myths that moek the real. 
The dreary w reeks of peai'e and youth 

Alun'e a erushed ideal. 

I've done wilh heaviMilx die.ams thai 
wane 

\i toueh of earth-born dawn^ngs, 
With fervid passion, u.seloss pain, 

Urave aims and din\ forowarnings; 
I've done w ilh alien tears or snules. 

Past days and vague to-morrows; 
I've done with earth's nnhallowtnl 
w iles. 

Brief joys and helpless smrows. 

I've done with eon\i>aets sealed in dust. 

Dull eares that ovorweigiied nie. 
With promise of the .ludas-trust. 

That, while it kissed, betrayed me; 
Wilh itU save love, whose matehless 
faee 

Midmost a life's undoing 
Snules in its tender angel's grace 

To sanetifv the ruin. 



mi: I) I TAT I VI': AND UKLKJIOUH. 



337 



I'vf! (loiu! with all bi'iioath the stars, 

() worlii! so wanly lliM'ting! 
I low \u\\% a.!j;aiiisl liiiKvs iiiLlil(!ss bars 

Have llio soul's wiiii,'s been beatin.i^, 
Till even the; soul but y('arns for sleep, 

Calm r(!st tor fe'vei'cd riot — 
Tilt! sa(;re(l slcjep, the sliailows deep. 

Of ileatli's majestic ipuet! 

XXVII. 
TIIK IWiOKKN ( IIOKKS. 

LiKic a worn wiiiil-haip on a liaricn lea. 

Unstirred by subtir bn•al|]in^s of the 

sea, 

Thouf^h sweet soutIi-bn;ezes swell tlic 

floodtide's flow, 

Tin: lyri<- powci' in lliis worn heart, of 

niiiK- 
JJi(jops ill llic ;wili;^ht of life's wan 
deeiiiK;, 
While the loosed cliords of son^^f^rown 

lax and low, 
Are dumb to all the heavenly airs that 
blow! 

Only, sometinn^s alon;^ each sliatt<;red 

string; 
I hear tli(! ^^host of Memory nummu- 

inj; 
Old strains, as half in sadness half in 

seoin. 
So faint, so far, they seareely j)ass the 

iioiiiid 
"rwixl. MillcMi siltniee and ethereal 

sound, — 
-Mere wraiths of murmurous toni', that 

di(! forlorn 
Kre yet w(! d(u-m tliosi; falleriiiLj notes 

arc; born ! 

.So, smitten chords, sink, wane, and pass 

away I 
Yet have ye made; soft nnisie in your 

day 
Ou many a sea-swejit strand or breezy 

lawn. 
Once UKJi-e I lieiir that yearniii,i< music 

rise; 



Once more I see deep t(!ars in ttaidcir 

eyes; 
And all my soul melts in nii;, fondly 
ilrawn 
iiack to yoiitirs love and youth's Arca- 
dian dawn I 

X X \' 1 1 1 . 
iiip; iMir wriiiiN iiii, i.rii;. 
A 'riw rift wiiiiin ihe lute 
May sometimes make the music mute! 
By slow <legre(!s, the rift f^rows wide, 
l>y slow dej,'rees, lh(; tender tide — 
Harmonious once; — of loving thoiii^ht 
IJecomes with harsher measincs fraught, 
Until the heart,'s Arcailian breath 
Lapses tliio' discord into deatli! 

XXIX. 

IN iiAiinoi:. 

I 'I'lil.NK it is over, over, 

J think it is ovc^r at last, 
Voices of foenian and lover, 
The swecitand tlu; bitter have passed: — 
IJf(!, like a t(!inpest of ocean 
llath outblown its ultimate blast: 
Tliere's but a faint sobbing sea-ward 
While the calm of the tide deepens lee- 
ward, 
And behold! like the wc'lci^ming (piiver 
Of beart-iiidses throbbed thro' tin; river, 

Those lights in the harbor at last, 

Tlu; heavenly harbor at last! 

I f(;el it is over! over! 

For the winds and the waters surcease; 
Ah ! — few were the days of the rover 

That smiled in the beauty of peace! 
Ami distant and ilini was the omen 
That hint(!d redress or releaser: — 
From the ravage; of life, and its I'iot 
What marvel I yearn for the quiet 

Which hides in the harbor at last? 
For the li^dits with their wi'lcoming 

(pliver 
'i'liat throiii^h the sanctified river 

Which girdles the harbor at last. 

This hciiveiily liarhor at last, '.' 



388 



LATKIi POKMS. 



1 know it is ovor, over. 


In turn, to love and anguish, joy and 


1 know it is ovor at lust I 


woo — 


IHv.vn sail I tlvo slioatliod am-lnu' umwor. 


Dear (.'hrist I whon 1 am doad '.' 


For tlio strossof tlio voyago has passoil: 




LilV. liko a touipost otocoan 


Though I bo doail, porohaiu'o whon 


Hatli outbroalhoil its ultimato blast: 


Spring has shod 


'I'luMv's but a faiiu sobbing soa-ward. 


Her gentlest intluenoo roimd — 


Whilo tlu> oalui of tlio tido iIooihmis loo- 


Hero, where love reigned, my ghostly 


wanl: 


foot may tread 


And boholdl liko tho wolooniing qnivor 


Tho old aoenstomod paths withoiu a 


0( hoart-pnlsos throbbod thro" tho river, 


sound, — 


Thoso lights in tho harbor at last, 


IVrohanoi — whon 1 am iloadi 


'I'ho hoavonly harbor at last ! 






Though I Ih^ ilead. earth's fragrant 




white anii rod 


\\\. 


lleiv in spring roses met. 


KOKKC'AsriXtiS. 


May to strange spiritual senses bring the 
balms 


AViiKN I am gono. what alion stops shall 


Of tender memory and divine ivgrot. 


tivail 


\eal oven to mo — though iload! 


This tloworv gardon-oloso ".^ 




What alion hands shall pluok tho violots 


Though 1 Ih» dead, with faded hamls and 


swoot . 


heail 


<>r giUhor tho rioii potals of tho roso. 


Laid in luibroathing ivst — 


Whon I — droar thought I — am doad '.' 


IVar eottage ivof ! tlum still mayst lure 




me baok. 


Whon 1 am gono, toward doubtful dark- 


Among the uuoonsoions living a wan 


noss lod. 


guest , 


What voioos. falso or trno. 


Veiled, as Fate veils the dead: 


Shall ooho romul thoso old, familiar 




hannts 


A guest of sliadowy frame, ethereal 


My happiest days of tranviuil manhood 


tread. 


know. 


Amongst them, yet apart — 


Ah mo I whon I an> iloail '.' 


A sonibiv mystery! in whoso bosom 




thixUi 


Whon I am gono, what nmsoful eyes 


The faint, slow pulses of its phantom 


instead 


heart. 


Oi these ilimu\od eyes of tniiio. 


Ah. heaven 1 not wholly dead I 


lioneath von troUisod poroh shall mark 




thw* heaven. 




On eloudless eves tho snmmor sunsets 


XXXl. 


shine. 
Whon I. alasl am dead".' 


AiM'K.vi ro x.vn i;k of rtiK sv>i.i- 
r.via iiKviir. 


Whon I am gone, and all is done and 


1H:au mother, take mo to thy breast I 


s;»id. 


1 have no other plaoe of ivst 


(>iit life had wrought below — 


In all tins weary world of men: 


'Mid these fair soones what other souls 


Ah: fold me in thy love agsiin. 


shall thrill. 


Sweet mother; olasp me to thy bivast! 



I'or.Ms /■■()/,• Hl'I'J'lAL (M'dASKJNS. 



yy9 



From out, t.liy \\<inili, loiin siiici;, 1 came, 


FOUR POEMS FOR SPECIAL OCCA- 


A crciiUiic vvroiiL^liI ol tliist. uiul (laino; 


SIONS. 




I knew iio iiiorUil luotlicr's gi;i(;c, 


I. 




IJiil, only vi(!\V(!d ///// iiiyslir i:u;(!, 
Thai s(jl'lly wiiiil, and woflly caiiu!! 


TO TIIK I'OKT Willi IlKlt. 
ON HIS 70tll IilKrilli.\ \ . 




1 knew Mice ill llic, smisci ^riind, 


Fkom this far realm of jjiiKis 1 waf 


thee 


Tlu! vvav(;li!ss c^aliii, Mk; silvery sti'and; 


now 




From out the MhinuiKM'iii.i^ twihyht- 


A ))roth('r's f^nictini;-, l'o<'t, trie 


1 and 


hars 


tru(;; 




1 saw tiicc siiiiif hclui'cn th(^ stars, 


So thick the laurels on thy icvereiid 


I)i\iiicly sweet, or softly j^'iiuid! 


brow. 






We scarce can see the wiiit,(; 


locks 


1 h<!ai'(l, heueath tli(! sylvan arch, 


f^iiiiimeriii^ through ! 




Thy hattliiiji winds, led on hy Marrli, 






.Swe(!i) wluM'e th<r solciiin iiiiic-toi)S 


C) pure of thought! Kariiest in 


heart 


close 


as |(en, 




About its I'avagiid, dim reiiosc — 


The tests of tiiiK; have left thee, 


IllldC!- 


Hushed, awed, beneath the wooilland 


lile<l; 




arch! 


And o'(!r the snows of threes(!ore 
and ten 


years 


1 lusird t,]u!(!, 'mid soiik; tender hour. 


Shines the unsullied aureole of a 


child. 


In lispini^ Ur.ii and rustliiij,' (lower, 






In low lute-l)reatliitigs of th(! hrecize, 


11. 




And tidal si^lis o'er moonless seas 
.Slar-cliariiicil in midiii^iit's iiioiiniful 


TO <). W. IIOI-MKS, 




llOlllI 


ON HIS IIIICrllDA Y. 






DiCAU Doctor, whose lilandly iiivincilile 


1 tiiriljnl al caeii far-wliispei'ed lone 


pen 




TliMt touched me fj-om thy vast, uii- 


Has honored s() often your L^reat, 1 


cllow- 


kuowii, 


men 




At every dew-hrii,dit liint that fell 


With your ii;enius ami virtues 


w bo 


From out thy soul unsearehahle, 


doubts it is true 




Yea, each straiig(! hint and shadowy 


That the world ovv(!S in turn, a. 


warm 


tone! 


tribute to you ".' 




1 f(dt, tliroiigii dim, awe-laden space, 


When^soever rare merit has lifUtd its 


'J'he cominf; of thy veiled face; 


bead 




And in the fraj^rant nijfht's (eclipse 


From the cool count ly calm or the 


city's 


The kisses of thy deathless lips, 


hotbed — 




Like stranj^c! star-pulses, throbbed 


You were always the lirst to api)l 


iiid it 


throuf^h si)acc! 


by name. 






And to smooth for its feet the 


harsh 


NovV mini- own pulses, heat iiiL,^ low, 


pathway to fame. 




V.Hiisper tiie spent life: " 'r/nui mauL (/o; 






Even as a ird.ilcil rwidcl, jxiss 


Wheresoever beneath the broad i 


llic of 


Jieyond tha Ihj/d, haiedlh llic (/rdKn, 


l,lie Sllll, 




For HtrcntjUi i/rows fuinl, luul liojic Is 


I5y some s))iiil elect, a j^rand de( 


;d has 


■ low!'' 


been done — 





oH» 



LATKIi rOh'Mti. 



Its olivtrind si^'ll like Uw light i\inu's 

would (lait. 
'riioujih the ulolu- lay lH>l\\inM\, lo ihiill 

lirst ill uoiir licarl I 

I'hilautlnopisi I jhu-I I ronKUH'crl rom- 

l.im-.l — 
Ay! slut'wd si'ii'Ulisl loo — who shall 

t'ailioin \oiir luiiul. 
Shall iiliimh thai >lran.m" sra to the iit- 

Icfinost (U'('l>. 
With its vast uiuUM-tiilos, aiul its rhylli- 

luiv'al sw iH'p ■' 

You hav(> toiK'il in litVs noon, (ill (ho 

hot l)lasling li.uht 
Uliiuls tho i\vos thill wonlil uiiago your 

soul statuiv arijiht ; 
Ihil whi>n ovo conios at last, 't will ho 

cloar to niaiikiml. 
n\ till- l.-imih of l>iii;lit shadow yotu' 

>oiil U'a\os ln'hiiul ! 

III. 

TO KM^:I{so^. 

ON ins T7th mmiiKAV. 

•• t iloosteomohimndcov>osiiu'oi'i>si>nlo ; ouo 
iliai soo\iu>tU ovor to bo tvnviviliui; at'ior tlio 
lutiiiito '. " — Sir Thomas Broirtu. 

All! what to him our trivial piaiso or 
Mamo. 
Who through long yoars hath rais.Hl 
half-mourufnl oyos 
A'oarning to mark somo hoa\on-d<\soond- 
oil tlamo 
Light his soul's altar rifo with .saovi- 
tioo •.' 

Tho otYoriiig oi far thoughts, profound 
as prayor. 
And starry droanis. still rliythmioal o\' 
youth. 
With travail of hiain that pants for lof- 
lior air. 
To tho voilod niystory of iiiunaoulato 
I'nith: 



XoOrionl simm- — wild woodlands, 'round 

him i'urlod, — 
r>uild1iig his shrino 'mid \iiginal 

valos apart. 
l''."or watchod and w.iitod in tho antiinio 

world. 
I'or tiro di\ino. with nioro othoroal 

hoart! 

V((i) life's siipiomo oblations still ro- 
main 
All inidisoornod ".' or hath somo mar- 
vollons h>vin 
Hallowed his gift, ami down his riftod 
pain 
Flaslu'd tho wliito splondor of (uhI's 
graoo from hoa\ on ".' 

i\ . 

ro HON. i;. (i. 11. 

ri'ON ms TSili ini;i ui> \\. 
Ci.osK to tho vorgoof foursi-oro orowilod 

yoars 
A'onr hoart is strong, your soul sorono 

and bright ; 
.\s whon oonfronting tirsi lifo's hopos 

and t'oars — 
'Tho star of manhood orow nod your brow 

with light. 

Cloar thoughts aro spoils to koop tho lifo- 

blood pnro. 
Uravo aims aro modiomal. rifo with 

balm: 
What wondor thon. with ///(< lifo's joys 

I'luluit'. 

.Viul lifo's majostio snnsot smilos in 
oalinl 

I'or thon art ono whoso brothorhood 

supromo 
Hath loiu'hod all oirolos of bonign 

dosiro; 
'riioroforo. thy tlays liko somo nnolond- 

cd droam. 
.\roslowlv molting into hoavonly tiro. 



HUM O KG us POEMS. 



HUMOROUS POF.MS. 



VA L K niE'S ( '() NFKSS I ON. 
TO A I'IMKNI). 

TiiKY (lt;clarf' llial I'm grawifiilly pretty, 

The very best walt/.er tliat whirls; 
They say 1 am sparkling ami willy. 

The pearl, the queen rose-bud of girls. 
But, alas for the popular blindness! 

Its judgment, lliougb folly, can hurl: 
Since my heart, that runs over with 
kindness, 

It vows is the heart of a flirt I 

How, h()n\ ean I help it, if Xaluri', 

Whose mysteries l)alllc our ken, 
Hath made me the tenderest creature 

Tiiat ever had pity on men ? 
When the shafts of my luminous glances 

Have tortured some sensitive; breast. 
Why, I soften their light till it trances 

'J'he i)ooi' wounded bosom to rest! 

Can I help it if, brought from all regions. 

As diverst; in features as gait, 
Rash lovc^rs besiege me in legions, 

Each lover dciinanding his fate ? 
To b(! eold to su(di fei'vors of feeling 

Would i)ronounee me a dullard or 
dunce; 
And so, the bare thought sets me reel- 
ing. 

I'm engaged to xi.r suitors at once! 

Tlie first, — we shall call him" sweet 
William." 
He's a lad scarcely witty or wis(! — 
Tlie gloom of Die soirows of " Ilium" 
Would seem to outbreathe on his 
sighs. 



NVlien I strove, half in earnest, to (lout 
him. 
Pale, pale at niy footstool lie sunk; 
But mamma, <piile too ready to scout 
liim, 
iro/(/</ hint, that " swe(!l Willie" was 
drunk ! 

My second, a llorid A<ionis 
Of forty-and-live, loa, day, 
Drives me out, in liis piiaelon with po- 
nies. 
Making lov<'. every yard of the way, 
Who so jdeasantly placed eould resist 
him '.' 
Had be iir)|iped "neatli the moonlight 
and dew 
Tliat eve. 1 eould almost have kissed him 
(A confession alone, dear, for you). 

Next, a widower, jiolisbed and youtbfid. 

Far famed for bis learning and ])elf : 
Can I doubt that Ids passion is truthful. 

That he s<!(d<s m(! alone; for myself? 
Yet 1 know that somi; slanderers mutter 

His fortune is Just taking wings; 
But I scorn the backbit(!rs who utter 

Such basely censorious things! 

Could they liearken his love-wliisper, 
dulcet 
As April's soft tid<! on the strand, 
Whose white curves are loatli to re- 
pulse it. 
So sweel is its homage and bland; 
Could they hear bow his dead wife's de- 
votion 
He ])raises, while yearning for mine — 
They would own that his ardent emotion 
Is something — y<;s — almost tiimne 1 



344 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 



My fourtli — would to heaven I cotild 
paint liini 
As next the high altar he stands — 
A Saint John, all the people besaint 
him? 
Pale brow and immaculate hands, 
Ah! his tones in their wooing seem 
holy, 
Nor dare I believe it misplaced, 
When an arm of the church, stealing 
slowly. 
Is folded, at length, round my waist; 

Behold this long list of my lovers 

With a soldier and sailor complete : 
Both swear that their hearts were but 
rovers 
Till fettered and bound at my feet. 
Oh dear! but these worshippers daunt 
me: 
Their claims, their vain wishes, appall ; 
'Tis sad how they harass and haunt 
me, — 
What, WUAT, shall I do with them alU 



As the foam-flakes, when steadfastly 

blowing, 
The west wind sweeps reckless and 

free. 
Are borne where the deep billows, flow- 

Pass out to a limitless sea, 
So the gay spume of girlish romances, 

Upcaught by true Love on his breath. 
With the fretwork and foam of young 
fancies, 
Was l)orne through vague distance to 
death. 

For he came — the true hero — one 
morning, 
And my soul with quick thrills of de- 
light 
Leaped upward, renewed, and reborn in 
A world of strange beauty and might: 
I seemed fenced from all earthly disas- 
ter; 



My pulses beat tuneful and fast; 
So 1 welcomed my monarch, my master 
The ytr«i real love, and the last. 



A MEETING OF THE BIRDS. 

Of a thousand queer meetings, both 

great, sir, and small 
The bird-party / sing of seemed oddest 

of all ! 

How they come to assemble — a multi- 
form show — 

From all parts of the earth, is — well 
— more than / know. 

I only can vow that, one fine night of 

June, 
In a vast, varied garden, made bright by 

the moon, 

Such bird-throngs I saw, with plumes 

brilliant or dark, 
As had ne'er met, I deem, since the age 

of the ark: 

There the phfenix, upborne on a tall 

jasper spar, 
His fair mate by his side, shone serene 

as a star; 

AVith a calm sort of pride glancing down 

on all others, 
As scorning to claim such canaille for 

his brothers! 

He alone of earth's creatures (more wise 

far than Adam), 
W^ien Eve tempted Itim, said "Excuse 

me, good madam! 

"No juice from that fruit shall e'er 

moisten my thrapple! 
Delicious! perhaps . . but who gave 

you the apple ?" * 

* Tradition says tliat when Adam ate of the 
forbidden fruit, at Eve's instigation, the 
phoenix, alone, of all creatures, equally tempt- 
ed, did not fall. 



.1 MKKTlXa UF THE BIIWS. 



345 



Then — liis tiny red optics upturned to 

tliis king 
Of all species tliat court tlie liglit air 

witli a wing — 

Lo, tlie rooster! his top-linot bright crim- 
son and blue, 

With his impudent strut and his cock- 
iloodle-doo, 

Is resolved, one can see, the king's hau- 
teur to balk ! 

ir/a/r.s- (I phwni.e,forsoot/i, to such cucks 
of the ivulk .' 

Oh! he bustles along, and he bullies his 

wif(\ 
Till the poor humbled partlet is weary of 

life — 

When, phew! like a bolt of blue light- 
ning or brown, 

Outflashetl from the trees, a swift bee- 
bird whirls down 

Upon cocky's great top-knot upreared 
like a dome. 

To cut, just for once, his big high- 
ness' s comb ! 

From the rooster's discomfiture, laugh- 
ing, I turn 

To where, 'mid the garden's cool 
avenues, burn 

The fair cinnamon tufts of those 

hipoo(>s that sold 
To King .Solomon, once, their true 

crownlets of gold ; * 

And beyond where the shadow waves 

dim by the sheen. 
The gay hununing-bird darts — a live 

rainbow — between : 

* The Hipnoes originally had real ei'owns of 
gold on tlieir heads; but so persecuted were 
they because of this possession that they 
appealed to Solomon, who (the legend says) 
exchanged their gold crownis for crowns of 
feathers, retaining the former as a trifling 
"complinieut" for his magic skill and Idnd- 
ness.' 



While the parrakeets glitter, the orioles 

float 
Through the moonlighted mist and flue 

vapors remote ; 

And by sides of small streams and clear 
lakelets outspread 

Stalks the long-legged flamingo, all scar- 
let and red : 

In sooth, birds of all climes, whether 
wild birds or tame, 

Whether dove-hued and sad, or high- 
colored like flame, 

Walked, wobbled and sauntered, paused, 

fluttered and flew, 
With vast blending of plumes, and, ah! 

endless ado. 

The eagle's loud anger, set deaf'ningly 

loose, 
Shrilled fierce o'er the arrogant hiss of 

the goose, 

And a peacock, who screeched till his 
gills were half black. 

Could not drown, after all, a profes- 
sional " quack; " 

The nightingale pitted his voice and his 

lore 
'Gainst the skylark, that never had 

trilled thus before; 

And the cock now recovered, and fresh, 

sir, as dew. 
Strove to bear them both down with his 

cock-doodle-doo : 

Till — one volume of strange, contra- 
dictory sound. 

The air, like a millwheel, whizzed round 
us and round. 

And while still the white moonshine, on 

vapors of fleece. 
Rained down its ineffable splendors in 

peace, 



o4l) 



jiiJiuiiucs roi'JMS. 



That bird (.'ongregation broke up in a 

row, 
AVliose noisos, half ihvaaiing, 1 catch 

even now. 

But the last glimpse of all that Hashed 

quick on my eyes, 
Ere the whole meeting t\uled "twixt 

garden and skies. 

Was the cuckoo's luiwearied, nefarious 

leg 
Scratching fast to discover a pluvnix's 

Which, it t'ouud, I've no doubt, was 
close-hidden and pressed 

By the vile little wretch, with (piite 
mother-like breast. 

Yet I've seen other creatures than 

creatures with wings 
Who dareil to make free with thrice 

sanctilied things. 

From whose false incubation «"/Hf^ creeds 

came in vogue ! 
Even tnith'fi ef/f/ is marred if hatchfd 

out by a royne .' 



A BACIIE/.OU- r.OOKH'OHM'S CO.V- 
PLAlSr OF THE LATE PRESIDEN- 
TIAL ELECTION. 

[Writtou during the Hayes aiul Tildcu 
Controversy]. 

A MAN of peace, I never dared to many. 
Lover of tranquil hours, 1 dwelt a])art ; 
Outside the realm where noisy schemes 
miscarry; 
My only handmaids, Science, Learn- 
ing, Art; 
Oh I home of pleasant thought, of calm 

atfection. 
All blasted now by this last vile election! 

One morn, absorbed in studious contem- 
plation 
Of what or whom, 1 cannot now recall, 



A strident voice, "' Kisel help to save the 

nation! 
Boared in mine ear. hall bellow and 

half s(iuall; 
'■ Throw by your books, why, man, there's 

treason brewing; 
t'Ome, come with me, we'll block the 

march of ruin! " 

My neighbor, Dobson — all the gods con- 
found him! 
Seized, shook and hauled me from my 
cnshionetl seat ; 

(Just then I could have drugged the 
wretch, or drowned him;) 
But the next moment on bewildered 
feet, 

1 trudged with him through dirty streets 
and weather. 

That we might vote at the next poll to- 
gether. 

Yote!vote for whom ? I'd not the faint- 
est notion ; 
Little I recked of modern joys or woes; 

Wrapped in (Jreek wars anil ancient 
Home's commotion. 
What passed beneath my philosophic 
nose. 

Seemed dim as glimmerings of a nud- 
night taper 

Marked from afar through autumn idouds 
and vapor! 

At length we paused before a wood-work 

wicket. 
Shrining the grimy guardian of the 

poll; 
Into my hands they thrust a printed 

ticket. 
An ink-besmeared, suspii-ious-lookiug 

scroll. 
Which, ne'ertheless, held names of men 

whose action 
Would cow — they swore — the brazen 

front of faction! 

With scarce a glance, in vacant mood. I 
cast it ; 
Tluit ticket soiled into as soiled a box; 



A BACllELun-noOKWOUM'H COMI'LAINT, ETC. 347 



A box, I thoujiht, half vaguely as i 

passed il : 
Whose guardian '• Koiigli "" looked wily 

as a fox, 
Willing, no doubt, for any puhli(; hero, 
To eheat ad lib. — a Ihiitus, or a Nero! 

AVeill from llial day. my jieace of life 

was shatlcrcd ; 
l)oi>s()n iciiiilil come, all loweiing or 

ahla/..- 
Willi joy, lo sliout — (as if \\u: issue 

nialieretr I 
Now "Tildi'u''.s n-oiif now '" (jhirions 

Unlliij lldi/r.s .'""^ 
Vaiidy i argued, vainly vowed thaid — n 

me, 
1 didn't eare three straws for K'uiiior — 

.Sanuny ! 

" Have 1 not Scipio and majestic Cato, 
With their grand deeds to ponder yet? " 

1 cried; 
'■ \Vliy, dunder-headed Dolison, irlll you 

prate so, 
Of modern dwarfs of lime and fate 

untried; "" 
"Untried!" quoth he, aghast at my 

ini«|uity ; 
"i"ll hack them holli. by Jove! 'gainst 

all ant i<iiiily ! "' 

And still he came, moiTiing, and noon, 

and twilight, 
liringing, at last, his party henchmen 

too ; 
<)! how I yearned to blow them through 

the skylight. 
Or, at the gentlest, beat them black 

and blue; < 

Kach cursed and threatened like sonu! 

desperate Lai'a ; 
Meanwhili' they (|naffed and rpiaffed my 

best Madeira! 

A point there is beyon<l the soul's de- 
liance. 
Which gained. ;i mortal man must 
light, or lly; 



Fight, if h(! knows the wily tricks of 

'' science," * 
i<'ly. if he knows not, n'/ien to smite, 

and ('•////; 
Necidless to say. in this disastrous inat- 

ti-r. 
Of the two wiiys. 1 wisely chose — the 

laller! 

L Icd't my home; I lied t(j shades sultui- 

ban. 
Where an old aimt. as deaf as twenty 

posts. 
(A line aiiti(|iie, b<'decked with lace and 

tin'ban.) 
Live(l in a hous(! uidiuown lo rats or 

ghosts; 
There, far from i)arty conflicts, proud or 

petty, 
[ dwell at peace, with sober Madame 

Betty ! 

At peace! good lack. th(> universal 

virus 
Of party strife hadcapti\'e made the 

air. 
The liglit, the very sun-motes shifting 

nigh us, 
And tints, alas! it entered even 

there; 
Up, down her stairs, how oft had I to 

stmnp it. 
Shrieking tin; news through her infernal 

trumpet. 

Ballled, once more I sought the public 
pass- ways, 
Ihit then, from morn to midnight's 
" witching noon," 
Monotonous as when some blatant ass 
brays. 
The same mixed clamors rose 'neath 
sun and moon; 
Tildeii and Hayes in never-eeasing wran- 

gl<s 
Who the vexed "snarl "" shall ever dis- 
entangle ? 

* /till;/ scii-iicc, (if course. 



348 



JlUMOliUi'S I'OHMS. 



I>ank, hall, aiul luarkot. i-ounliu^-houso 

aiul alloy. 

Patru'ian parlorauil low baiMvoni dow. 

Ei'hooil. as "twoiv. riios of ivtivat or 

rally. 

From brassy throats ot" iwatty thousainl 

UIOIK 

Suoh foolisli boasts woiv bloiit with 

thivats as silly. 
Yot ovon the wiso men babbUvl — wilh/ 

'l"ho vory imrso-maids with thoir baby 

rhariivs. 
Took siilos. and squabbloJ : iu-\\ sboys 

shouting Unul. 
8outtlod along tho slippery pavoiiiout 

niargvs. 
Ami burst liko young bulls through tho 

luotU^y orowil 
Ot" i>arsous. blaok-log-s. ilamlios. haok- 

uion, buiuntors: 
Swollou oaoh n\ontout by souio rash now 

ooiuors I 

Around tho tolograph stands thoy surgod 

atid battlod. 
Till diivfid llados sooniod ludoosod on 

oarth: 
I.ios woiv oxohangod. ondgolsand briok- 

bats rnttlod: 
Tho voriost blaokguard soornod tho 

n»an of birth. 
And twoakod his noso. or knookod his 

boavor doiddo — 
Ah uiol tho noiso, tho bUuvs, tho furious 

troublo! 

Ipassod a g;(y "• Ua/.aar." and glanood 

within it, 
C^f silks ai\d satins, what a dazzling 

nia/.ol 
Fair touguos woiv wagging snuu'tly; 

ovory nunuto. 
** Of oourso 'tis Tildoti ! "' " nay. not so. 

'tisllayos!*" 
Koso. with tho rustlo of bright garn\onts 

blonditig — 
A strifo of Yoioos. oaa;or and unondingi 



YouM soaivo boliovo it; but maids fair 

and tondor. 
Danoing from sohool, tho uxorost slips 

of girls. 
.^hriUod //(f»/t.s or Tihhn, and with tiu- 

gors slouilor, 
Caught auii ilraggod tiorooly at oaoh 

othors' oiuls; 
111 words thoy spako — thoso iuoonsidorato 

missos — 
From rosobud lips just fnimod for lovo 

ami kisses I 



F.iu'>ugh'. tho liio is oasi : fivm rago and 

riot. 
I'll orosso'or nunmtaiu walls and oooan 

stroan\s. 
To sook and tind again, that graoions 

quiot. 
Whoso oharm hath loft mo. savo in 

trjvnsiout divams; 
In soino far land aiui timo. tuy spirit 

stillod thon — 
1 may — who knows — forgivo both 

llavos and Tildonl 



\ "IMMirK OOMIMMK" in UllYMK. 
I.l>VKK. 

' Oogi kttk! ooquottol now. is it fair 
To w oavo for mo your magio hair. 
r>iuding mo thus, all nnawaiv".' 
Till, wholly moshod in ovory part. 
From daz/.l»Hl oyos to oaptmwl hoart. 
Soaroo oan 1, thro' your nidiaut siuhv. 
Inhalo ono waft of fitn^lKMn air: 
Answer, ooquottol now, is it fair? 

COl^l'KTTK. 

(.>. foolish querist I w hat if 1. 
UohoUliug your onamonnl faoo 
And every wollsUtosted tnioo 
Of vonlant. youtig idolatry. 
Should, after my own fashion, choose 
To play tho subtly-jimoivus muso, 



coi^uKi'Ti': AND in: II ij)Vi:il 



;}4'j 



Your incxpcriiMUMMl lic:irl.-Hlriiii;s loiicli, 
Wooiiif^ Uic wunii clioi'ih ovciiiuicli ! 
Or tiMMid you, 'Iwixt a .smile and sigli, 
To <!iit.iT beauty's liuuiuous uei V 
bucli Huurcs must evermore be; set 



For lilimled luilniiil llir> like you! 
(ease, thereloi'e, tills ]ialt-fei;,Mie(l ado, 

Yon ai'e a natural victim! I 

Am by tlie sijni' sli^au^e law's decree, 

\'ourdeai-. I rcdcsl imd euemy! 




M I 111! Ii\ 1 uld .S(>oni 

As It \oil liall> tliouKlil, <i)(Hii!lte, 
On sonictliiiitc grave." 



I.OVKIt. 

Is HXiv}\ t-lie only lonilorl, then. 
You fjive to lliriee-delllded niiMI ? 

Suppose onr lilV plan (piiti' npsel, 
Kev(M\sed in wlmle, oc eliaii'^ed in part ; 
M\i sex your own, and i'e(din;,^s slron;,', 
(Wiled l)y deep passion's syren sonjj;); 
Fo7f)'.s tlie blind victim's tanL,de(I lieart. 
And IHtnr to weave tlie tempter's net — 
What, then, ( >I lioney-ioip^rm.ii coiiiiclle ".' 



('•x^iirrn;. 
Such qiicst.ions! — ah! i\i(i\> Dicu ! luon 

Dim ! — 
l'',incy I've |ilaees chanficMl with you! 
I eaiiniil ! 'I is loo hard a task 
or any inorlal liillc to ask! 

I AST III'; irilli It /iiilf-lnniiiiniiiH, /iiilf-nnlcmnair.] 
l''ancy ///// iiers(ni chained to his 
]>y sonic odd niela iiiorphosis ! 



350 



HUMOROUS POEMS. 



My fairy frame to that huge bulk 
That might befit red Rory O'Fulke, 
Our Irisli groom! — six feet, at least, 
Of stature — with that boundless waist, 
Instead of mine, Titania might 
Quite envy on a '" round-dance " night, 
By all the waltzing beaux adored ! 
My brow to that great, sabre-scored 
Brown forehead; and my cheeks of 

rose 
To bearded puff>i ; my delicate nose — 
Quel horreur ! 'tis a hideous dream! 

LOVER. 

For full live seconds, it would seem 
As if you really thought, coquette, 
On sometliing grave I Slowly about 
Your flower-like lips' delicious pout, 
Came tiny puckerings, lined with doubt; 
Your large eyes widened deep and 

blue. 
As May-skies glimpsed thro' morning 

dew; 
And shadows vague as noon-tide trance 
Stole o'er your vivid countenance: 
Coquette! show pity! — after all, 
Have you resolved to free from thrall 
Your wretched serf ? . . . Close, close 

your eyes 
For one brief, merciful minute ; try 
To turn your perfect mouth awry; 
Let those arch smiles which magnetize 
My inmost blood be changed to scorn ; 
Do all a winsome lady born 
To loveliness and witchery, can, 
To flout a love-tormented man ! 

COQUETTE. 

You know as well as I 
What balms have soothed your slavery ; 
Besides, /'»; sure, whatever you say, 
There never yet has dawned the day 
On which, in truth ('tis vain to frown). 
You longed to lay your fetters down. 
Surely but airy chains they are. 
And tenuous as the farthest star. 
But should you break the binding net, 
You'd come . . . (ah! graceless, thank- 
less loon!) 



'Ere the next wax or wane of moon. 
To sigh, or call on "sweet coquette!" 

LOVER. 

Too much! by heaven! you heartless 

chit! 
I'll prove you underrate my wit. 
And self-respect, for all that's passed! 
I will — will break these bonds at last. 
Yes ! look ! you false, hard-hearted girl ! 
I dash to earth the dazzling curl 
You gave me once! . . . your portrait 

too! . . . 
(O, yes! I stole it, . . . what of that ? 
'Twill soon be shapeless, crushed and 

Hat, 
Beneath my stern, avenging heel ! 
Would it were flesh, and so could feel, 
. . . Where is it! wliere ? 
[He secuvlies frantically, but vainly for the 
likeness in one pocket after another.] 

[Coquette— approaching with iuflnite sweet- 
ness, rests one liand upon his shoulder, wliile 
tlie forefinger of the other is archly shaken in 
his angry face, that changes witli ludicrous 
quickness, from passion to bewilderment, and 
from bewilderment to rapture] : 
. . . Why, Hal, for shame! you prayed 

just now. 
With earnest mien and solemn brow, 
That I would sting you with hot scorn ; 
" Do all a icinsome lady born 
To loveliness and ivltchery, can. 
To flout a love-tormented man." 
And lo! because your bidding's done; 
Half-way, and mildly; why, I've won 
Such rude abuse ! . . . I shall not stir, 
Till you have begged my pardon, sir! 
. . . Hal ! do you love me ? . . . 

LOVER. 

. . . Angel! saint! 

C'an this be true! . . . my heart grows 

faint. 

With happiness ! . . . so then, despite — 

COQUETTE (interruptinf) ). 
Yes, dear! of feigned contempt and 

slight, 
— I have loved you always ! who but you 



THE OBSERVANT '^ ELDEST" SPEAKS. 



351 



Had failed thus long to read me true ? 
You dear, delightful, blundering boy. 

LOVER. 

. . . Cupid be blessed ! Oh, love ! Oh, joy ! 
. . . But Where's that precious curl I 

threw 
Rashly away ? . . . Already flown 
On some light wind ? 

COQUETTE. 

Yes, yes, 'tis gone I 

But then the whole bright, golden net 

{sJiakiiKj (lotrii lier CKvla.) 
You've gained with me! . . . If still 

unfair 
You deem this soft, imprisoning snare; 
And self-respect, for all that's passed. 
Demands you break your bonds at last, 
Give me due warning — if you please — 

LOVEK (embracing her). 
Ah! tltus a loving seal is set 
On rosy lips to keep them dumb; 
Some other eve beneath the trees 
Of golden summer, 'mid the hum 
Of forest brooks and hive-bound bees, 
I'll hearken, madcap, while you tease. 
But now, my heart the future years 
Sees through a mist of blissful tears; 
My eyes with gracious dew are wet; 
I'm dreaming! . . . No! . . . here smiles 
coquette ! 



SEA'^EX TO HIS EIUEND. 
ABOUT THE PERIOD OF A NEW YEAR. 

Dedicated to Sam'l Lord, Jr., Vliarlcston, S.C. 

Your hair is scant, my friend, and mine 

is scanter, 
On heads snowed white by Time, the 

disenchauter; 
In place of joyous beams and jovial 

twinkles. 
Behold, old boy, our faces scored with 

wrinkles! 



Sparkles your legal lore with salt that's 

Attic! 
But, ah! those twinges (gout?), those 

pangs rheumatic ! 
With muse of mine no more the public 

quarrels. 
But, Lord! how cold I feel despite the 

laurels ! 

If spiced your fame, not so your milk or 

sago : 
Only mild diet suits a sharp lumbago. 
While as for me — what critic '"puff" 

avails one 
Whose own short breath (asthmatic!) 

almost fails one ? 

The world we deemed so rife with fade- 
less prizes — 

Which of us most its hollow show de- 
spises ? 

We'd yield our gains for just one mar- 
vellous minute 

Of our lost youth, with all youth's glory 
in it! 

Yet from this House of Life, now 
wrapped in twilight. 

Gleams 'mid tlie sbadowy roof Faith's 
magic skylight; 

Whereby as night steals down through 
weird gradations. 

We hail the giow of heavenly constella- 
tions. 

So, as through darkness only dawn the 

graces 
Of God's calm stars and lofty shining 

spaces. 
That night called death which shrouds 

our bodies breathless 
May flood the heaven of soul with peace 

made deathless. 



THE OBSERVANT " ELDEST" SPEAKS. 

" Pa vows that all gluttony's wicked; 

He's always for docking my meat, 
And ne'er at dessert will he give me 

Enough of what's racy and sweet: 



352 



HUMOROCS POE.yS. 



Yet lie'Il gorge and gorge on at his din- Yet grandfather, who's ninety and up- 



ners. 

As restless hi mouth as in haml; — 
Now, say, — if all gluttons are sinners. 
Where — where does uuj 'governor' 

stand! 

'■ Oh! pa's most impressive on lying; 

( "Meanest crime in the annals of sin ; * ) 
Yet wliy does /iv tell folk itiuough 
Thomas) 
That he's out when he knows that he's 
in / 
And ma's done the same, when she 
meant not 
From house nor from chamber to stir: 
I suppose what is punished in me, sir, 
Is all right in him or in her I 

"Pa says, that good men must be 
generous, 
Selfnlenying. benevolent, kind;' 
Then why does he give those poor beg- 
gars 
Just nothing"? The lame and the 
blind/ 
Small cu'iihan. and wan, pining widow. 
Tlie goid-covereil head and the gray. 
Unsoothed and nnhelped in their sor- 
rows. 
From him turn — how sadly — away I 

"Pa counsels fair words of our neigh- 
bors : — 
Oh! he dotes on the pure 'golden 
rule;" — 
Yet he calls Aunt 8elina "back-biter," 

And he dubs Uncle Eeuben ' a fool." 
And when / said. ' Young Eenb's like 
his father,' 
(>n what text in reply did pa lean? 
AThy. ' Whoso thou fool shall dare utter,' 
Must taste — well. >/oit know what I 
mean! 

" Pa savs. " we nnist reverence our 
elders;' — 
How he harps and he harps upon 
tliat; — 



ward, 

lie treats like an imbecile ' Hat.' 
Ami once when poor grandpa, at break- 
fast. 
Mistook tlie slop-bowl for his cup. 
Pa muttered, • 1 wish the old dotard 
Were locked — xoiiieu-here — heedfully 
up!' 

'"I don" I know what the "governor's' 
made of ; 

r>ut truly, if he v:ere 7}oi he, 
(I mean if he were not ni)/ ' pater' — 

Alack! that ,s»(7( fathers should be,) 
His name would l>egin as I spelt it. 

With a big blatant H, if you please. 
And conclude \\ith the tiniest, meanest. 

But most self-sufficient of e's!" 



LlCIFKirS DEPUTY. 
A MEPI.EVAI, I.EGEXr>. 

A roET once, whose tuneful soul, per- 
chance. 
Too fondly leaned toward sin. and sin's 

romance. 
On a long vanished eve, so calm and 

clear 
None could have deemed an evil spirit 

near. 
Brooding ill deeds, was summoned by a 

writ. 
In the due form of Hades, to the Pit; 
A red-nosed, red-haired tiend the sum- 

nioncr. 
About whoso horrent head his locks did 

stir 
Like half-waked seqients! '"Well," in 

wnith and woe. 
The poet cried. "" whom the De'il drives 

must go, 
AMiate'er the goal! Yet much I wish 

that he 
Had sent as guide some nobler fiend than 

thee. 
Thou hideous varlet ! " 



LUCIFER'S DEPUTY 



353 



"Come, keep cool, I say," 
Counselled the other sagely, " while you 

may ! " 
\\'hereon, as half in scorn and half in 

ire, 
lie haled the poet to the realm of fire. 

Arrived in bounds Iladean, a vast rout 

Of fiends they met, who rushed tunmlLu- 
ous out, 

To loam the earth and those doomed 
spirits snare 

Who unsuspecting lived and acted 
there; 

Till in a few brief seconds the whole 
crew 

Of crowding dcunons — l)lack, brown, 
green and blue; — 

All but tlieir haughty chief, his form up- 
reared 

Through the red mist, had wildly dis- 
appeared. 

Then said the dark archangel to the 

bard: 
" Thine eye is bright, thou hast a shrewd 

regard ; 
Anti, therefore, ere 1 likewise o'er the 

marg(! 
Of Hades wing my way for some brief 

hours. 
To thee I choose to delegate my powers 
As chief and sovereign of this kingdom 

dread. 
To which, if well thou guardest, by my 

head 
Thy recompense, when I come back, 

shall be 
A luscious tid bit, garnished daintily — 
No meaner entree than a roasted monk, 
(Before he's cooked we'll make the 

rascal drunk. 
To spice his juices!) ; or, if thou'dst 

prefer 
Yon leaner and less succulent usurer. 
Why, of our toil and time with trifling 

loss, 
We'll serve ////// up, larded with golden 

sauce ! ' ' 



But while the absent fiends their cunning 

tasked 
To trap unwary souls, thick cloaked and 

]nask(!(l, 
One entered Hades who did soon 

entic(! 
The hee(ll(!ss bard to i^lay a game at 

(lice, 
Slaking the souls he held in charge 

tliereoii. 
The stranger played superbly — played, 

and won. 
So, gathering round him the freed souls, 

with care 
And kind despatch, safe to the outward 

air 
lie led tlieiii triumphing; and all who 

now 
Looked on his unmasked face and 

glorious brow 
Knew that St. Peter stood amongst them 

there. 
But when the devils, trooping homeward, 

found 
Their kingdom void — its conflagrations 

drowned 
As 'twere by showers from Heaven — 

such curses rose — 
Like thunder bellowing through the 

strange repose 
Which late had reigned — the poet's 

head whirled round. 
Stunned by the tumult. But ere long, 

with whirr 
And furious whizz, his right hand 

Lucifer 
Brought in such stinging contact with 

one cheek 
And then the other, that our minstrel, 

weak 
From pain ami fear, sank trembling on 

the floor. 
But sternly Satan pointed to the door. 
Where through his faithless guard, with 

many a kick 
And echoing thump, and one swift mer- 
ciless prick 
Of a keen pitchfork, was thrust forth in 

shame 



354 



Hl'MOBOUS POEMS. 



From out the empire of fierce grief and 


So, brother bards, whate'er ye write or 


flame, ' 


do. 


In even more woeful plight than when 


Be fearless. Hades holds no place for 


he came ! 


you : 


Then Lucifer upraised his arms and , 


Since if on earth men deem your worth 


swore 


but small. 


A miglity oath that Hades" lurid door 


Why there, "tis plain, ye have no worth 


No poet's form should ever enter more I ' 


at all! 



POEMS FOR CHILDREN. 



POEMS FOR CHILDREN. 



LITTLE NELLIE IN THE PUIHON. 

The eyes of a child are sweeter thau any hyinu 

we have sung, 
And wiser tlian any sermon is the lisp of a 

childish tongue! 

lliKiii Falcon leiirucd this luippy truth 

OIK' (Uiy ; 
TTwas a fan- nooiitiilc in the month of 

May) - 
When, as the chai>laiu of tlie (convicts' 

jail, 
lie passed its ,i;lo\veriii,n' areliway, sad 

and pale, 
Uoariny his tender dau!j,hter on his arm. 
A live years' darling she! The dewy 

cliarm 
Of Eden star-dawns ,t,^listened in her 

eyes ; 
llci- dimpled cheeks were rich with sun- 
ny dyes. 

"Papa!" the cliild that morn while 

still ahed, 
Drawing him close toward her, shyly 

said : 
" Papa! oh, won't you let your Nellie go 
To see those naughty men tliat plague 

you so, 
Down in the ugly prison hy the wood ? 
Papa, ril heg and pray them to he 

good." 
" What, you, my child ? " he said, with 

half a sigh. 
" Wliy not, ])ai)a ';' Pll heg them so to 

The chai)lain, with a father's gentlest 
grace. 

Kissed the small milled brow, the plead- 
ing face : 



" Out of the mouths of babes and suck- 
lings still, 

Praise is perfeetA'd," thought he; thus, 
his will 

Blended with hers, and through those 
gates of sin. 

Black, even at noontide, sire ami child 
passed in. 

Fancy the foulness of a sulphurous lake, 
Wherefrom a lily's snow-white ieaves 

should break. 
Flushed by the shadow of an unseen 

rose ! 
So, at the iron gate's loud clang and 

close, 
Slione the drear twilight of tliat place 

defiled. 
Touched by tlu; (lower-like sweetness of 

the child! 
O'er many a dismal vault, and stony 

door. 
The chaplain walked from ponderous 

door to door. 
Till now beneath a stairway's dizzy flight 
He stood and looked up the far-circling 

height; 
But risen of late from fever's torture- 

i)ed. 
How coul<l he trust his faltering limbs 

and head '.' 

Just then, he saw, next to tlu; mildewed 

wall, 
A man in prisoner's raiment, gaunt and 

tall. 
Of sullen aspect, and wan, downcast 

face. 
Gloomed in the midnight of some deep 

disgrace; 



3o8 



POEMS FOE CHILDREN. 



He shrank as one who yearned to fade i 

away, I 

Like a vague shadow on the stone-work , 

gi'ay, [ 

Or die beyond it, hke a viewless wind; ] 
He seemed a spirit faithless, passionless, j 

blind I 

To all fair liopes which light the hearts 

of men, — 
A dnll. dead soul, never to wake again! 

The chaplain paused, half doubting 

what to do, 
When little Nellie raised her eyes of bine. 
And. no wise daunted by the downward j 

stir i 

Of shaggy brows that glowered askance i 

at her, ] 

Said, — putting by her wealth of simny 

hair, — i 

"Sir, Mill you kindly take me up the | 

stair '? 
Papa js tired, and I'm too small to 

climb." 
Fraulvly her eyes in his gazed all the j 

time; j 

And something to her childhood's | 

instinct known I 

So worked within her, that her arms ' 

were thrown ( 

About his neck. She left her sire's em- j 

brace | 

Near that sad convict-heart to take her ! 

place, 
Sparkling and trustful! — more she did 

not speak; 
But her quick lingers patted his swart 

cheek 
Caressingly. — in time to some old tune ; 
Hummed by her nurse, in summer's . 

drowsy noon! 

Perforce he turned his wild, uncertain 
gaze 

Down on the child! Tlien stole a trem- 
ulous haze 

Across his eyes, but rounded not to tears ; 

Wlierethrough he saw faint glimmerings 
of lost years 



And perished loves! A cabin by a rill 
Kose througli the twilight on a happy 

hill: 
And there were lithe child-figures .it 

their play 
That flashed and faded in the dusky 

ray ; 
And near the porch a gracious wife who 

smiled. 
Pure as young Eve in Eden, imbeguiled ! 

Subdued, yet thrilled, 'twas beautiful to 
see 

With what deep reverence, and how ten- 
derly. 

He clasped the infant frame so slight 
and fair, 

And safely bore her up the darkening 
stair! 

The landing reached, in her arch, child- 
ish ease. 

Our Nelly clasped his neck and whis- 
pered : 

" Please. 

Won't you be good, sir ? For 1 like you 
so, 

And you are such a big, strong man, 
you know — ' ' 

With pleading eyes, her sweet face side- 
Mise set. 

Then suddenly his furrowed cheeks 
grew wet 

With sacred tears — in whose divine 
eclipse 

Upon her nestling head he pressed his 
lips 

As softly as a dreamy west wind's sigh, 

What time a something, undefined but 
high, 

As 'twere a new soul, struggled to the 
dawn 

Through his raised eyelids. Thence, 
the gloom withdrawn 

Of brooding vengeance and unholy pain, 

He felt no more the captive's galling 
chain; 

But only knew a little child had come 

To smite despair, liis taunting demon, 
dumb ; 




" (_)ur Nelly claspeci his neck ami « liisiicred : 

' I'lease 
Wou't you be goo;l, sir? For I like you so. 



THE CHILDREN.— WILL AND I. 



359 



A child whose marvellous innocence en- 
ticed 

All white thouglits liuck. that from tlio 
heart of (,'iirist 

Fly (love-iil^e earthward, ])ast our cloud- 
ed ken. 

Child-life to bless, or lives of child-like 
men ! 

Tlius he went his way, 
An altered man from that thrice blessed 

day; 
His soul tuned ever to the soft refrain 
Of words once uttered in a sacred fane: 
*' Tlie little children, let them come to 

me, 
Of such as these my realm of heaven 

must be;" 
But most he loved of one dear child to 

tell, 
The child whose trust had saved him, 

tender Xell! 



THE CHILhliES. 

TilK children! ah, the childreni 
Your innocent, joyous ones; 

Your daughters, with souls of simshine; 
Yoiu' Ijuoyant and laughing sons. 

Look long in their happy faces. 
Drink love from their sparkling eyes, 

For tlie wonderful charm of childhood, 
IIow soon it withers and dies! 

A few fast-vanishing summers, 

A season or twain of frost, 
And you suddenly ask, bewildered 

" What is it my heart hath lost ? " 

Perhaps you see by the hearth-stone 
Some Juno, stately and proud, 

Or a Hebe whose softly ambushed eyes 
Flash out from the golden cloud 

Of lavish and Iieautiful tresses 
That wantoidy lloating, stray 

< )'er the white of a throat and bosom 
More fair than blossoms in May. 



And perhaps you mark their brothers — 
Voung heroes who spurn the sod 

With the fervor of antiijue kniglitliood, 
And the air of a (irecian god! 

But where, ah, where are the children. 
Your household fairies of yore ? 

Alack! they are dead, and their grace 
has "(led 
For ever and ever more! 



WILL AS J) I. 

I. 

Wh roam the hills together, 
In the golden summer weather, 

Will and I : 
And the glowing sunbeams bless us, 
And the winds of heayrn caress us. 
As we wander hand in hand 
Through the; blissful summer land 
Will and I. 



Where the tinkling brooklet passes 
Through the heart of dewy grasses. 

Will and I 
Have heard the mock-bird singing. 
And the field-lark seen upspringing 
in his happy flight afar, 
Like a tiny winged star. 
Will and I. 



Amid cool ff)rest closes 

We have plucked the wild wood roses, 

Will and I; 
And have twined, with tender duty, 
Sweet wr(\alhs to crown the Iteauty 
Of the purest brows that shine 
AVith a mother-love divine 
Will and 1. 



Ah! thus we roam together. 
Through the golden sunuuer weather, 
Will and 1: 



360 



POEMS FOB CHILDREN. 



While the glowing sunbeams bless us, 
And the winds of heaven caress us — 
As we wander hand in hand 
O'er the blissful summer laud 
AVill and 1. 



JAMIE AXD HIS MOTHEU — IX THE 
TROPICS. 

JAMIE. 
O MOTiiEi!, what country is that I see 
Far over the stream and the boulders 
gray. 
■\Vhei'e the wind-song pipes, and the cur- 
lews flee. 
And the little brown squirrels dance 
and play 
Through the boughs all day ? 

MOTHER. 

Why. only a forest dai'k and wild, 

A savage waste you nuist shun, my child! 

.JAMIE. 

O mother, what shaj^es are those that sit 
In the deep dun heart of the woodland 
gloom ? 
And what tliose creatures that dip and 
flit. 
Each crowneil w ith a golden and scar- 
let plume. 
O'er the tamarind l)loorn ? 

MOTIIEC. 

Why. only the monkeys crouched from 

sight. 
Aud paroquets flashing in gay-hued 

flight! 

JAMIE. 

O mother, what children are those that 
run 
So swift and light 'mid the tree-stems 
bare ? 
They seem to twinkle from shade to sun, 
Aud beckon me over their sport to 
share 
111 the noontide fair! 



" Go not,"' she cried, with a quivering 

breath: 
" They are Pixies, child, and their sport 

is death!" 

But there came a morn when the moth- 
er's Avords 
No longer dwelt in her Jamie's mind ; 
When he followed the flight of the whir- 
ring birds 
That circled and soared on the wood- 
land wind, 
And mother and home were far behind. 

Like one in a golden dream was he. 
Far over the stream and the boulders 
gray: 
And the wind-song pipes, and the cur- 
lews flee. 
And the little brown squirrels dance 
and play 
Through the boughs all day. 

But the day grew dim, and the night- 
shades fell. 
And there in the dark, drear, hungrv 
wild. 
In the loneliest nook of a mountain dell, 
Where never a tender moonbeam 
smiled. 
Lay the weary child ! 

Like one in an awful trance was he. 
In the deep dun heart of the woodland 
gloom ; 
But a trance whose shadows can never 
flee. 
Till the mystic trump of the day of 
doom 
Breaks vault and tomb. 

And they found him there with his 
bleeding hands 
So humbly crossed o'er the ragged vest," 
His spirit had gone to the angel lands, 
But his out-worn body they laid to 

rest 
In the last sad smile of the geutle wesi ; 
God guard his rest! 



THE THREE COPECKS. — THE REASON WHY. 



361 



THE THREE COPECKS. 

Cuouc'HEi) low in a sordid cliaiuber. 
With a cupboard of empty shelves, 

Half starved, and, alas, unable 
To comfort or help themselves, 

Two children were left forsaken, 
All orphaned of mortal care; 

But with spirits too close to lieaven 
To be tainted by earth's despair. 

Alone in that crowded city, 

Which shines like an arctic star, 

By the banks of the frozen Neva, 
In the realm of the mij,dity ( 'zar. 

Now, Max was an urchin of seven; 

But his delicate sister, Leeze, 
With the crown of her rippliuij; ringlets, 

Could scarcely have reached your 
knees. 

As he looked on his sister weeping. 
And tortured by hunger's smart, 

A thought like an angel entered 
At the door of his opened heart. 

He wrote on a fragment of paper, 
With quivering hand and soul, 

^^ Please send to me, Christ, three co- 
2)ecks, 
To purchase for Leeze a roll .'" 

Then, rushed to a church, his missive 
To drop, — ere the vesper psalms, — 

As the surest mail bound Christward, 
In the unlocked box for alms I 

While he stepped upon tiptoe to reach it. 
One passed from the priestly band. 

And with smile like a benediction. 
Took the note from his eager hand. 

Having read it, the good man's bosom 
Grew warm with a holy joy; 

"Ah! Christ may have heard you 
already. 
Will you come to m// house, my boy ? " 



"But not without Leeze?" "No, 
surely. 

We'll have a rare party of three; 
Go, tell her that somebody's waiting 

To welcome her home to tea."' 

That night in the cosiest cottage. 
The orphans were safe at rest. 

Each sang as a callow birdling. 
In the depths of its downy nest. 

And the next Lord's Uay, in his pulpit, 
The preacher so spake of these. 

Stray lambs from the fold, which Jesus 
Had blessed by the sacred seas: 

So recounted their guileless story. 
As he held each child by the hand, 

That the hardest there could feel it. 
And the dullest could understand. 

O'er the eyes of the listening fathers 
There floated a gracious mist; 

And oh, how the tender mothers 
Those desolate darlings kissed ! 

" You have given your tears," said the 
preacher, 

" Heart-alms we should none despise; 
But the open palm, my children, 

Is more than the vieepiwj eyes .'" 

Then followed a swift collection. 
From the altar steps to the door. 

Till the sum of two thousand rubles 
The vergers had coimted o'er. 

So you see tliat the unmailed letter 
Had somehow gone to its goal, 

And more than three copecks gathered 
To purchase for Leeze a roll ! 



THE RE AS OX WHY. 

I'd like, indeed I'd like to know 
Why sister Bell, who loved me so, 
And used to pet me day and night. 
And could not bear me out of sight, 



362 



POEMS FOR CHILDREN. 



Now always looks so cross and glum, 
If to her side 1 chance to come, 
When that great, gawky man is nigh ; 
I'd like to know the reason why? 

That man! I Ixite him I yes, I do. 
And, in my place, you'd liate him too. 
At first, (his common name is John!) 
He brought me boxes of boa bona, 
With books, and dolls, and tiny rings, 
And lots on lots of precious things. 
And said, of all Miss Pontoon's girls, 
Not one could match my flowing curls, 
My rosy cheeks and rounded chin. 
With one sly dimple nestling in. 
But now, he seems so stern and high, 
I scarce may catch his scornful eye. 
While as for toys ! — he has ceased to 

buy ! 
Tell me, who can, tlie reason why ? 

It's mean! dear me! I'm sure it's mean! 
Did I not run a " go-between " 
From him to sister Bell so long, 
(Although 1 feared it might be wrong). 
With sweetmeats, flowers, and scented 

notes. 
Sealed by two doves with curving throats? 
Of course I thought him kind and nice. 
But now, he's cold as arctic ice! 
And more than once I've heard him 

say, 
" That chit's forever in the way!" 
While Bell — she snaps! till 1 could 

cry. 
Will no one tell the reason why ? 

I.ATEK. 

Think — Mr. John's my friend again. 
('Twas yesternight he made it plain). 
For most of our big household gone 
To Friday's lecture, — left alone. 
But Bell and I ; he came to tea, 
(As now he's coming constantly,) 
And spoke to me quite warmly — quite : 
*' Lizzie, you are not looking bright; 
And since both Bell and I are here. 
Take Nurse, and see the circus, dear; 
I'll pay, my love! accept of this." 



(A wee gold dollar, and — a kiss!) 
"Why don't you come with Bell?" 

asked I; 
He smiled, but would not answer why. 

LATER STILL. 

Good news ! good news ! I'm almost mad, 
I feel so pleased, so pi'oud and glad. 
To-morrow is the wedding-day; 
Papa will give our Bell away. 
And I'm a bridesmaid! — oh, my dress! 
'' Soft waves of white silk loveliness," 
Bell says, " with grace in every tuck!" 
And isn't Brother John a duck ? 
(I call him Bruther now, you see,) 
//(' gave this dainty dress to me. 
And said, his "■ little friend must look 
Fair as a picture in a book." 
I answered gayly, " I shall try! " 
What need to ask the reason why ? 



THE SILKEN SHOE. 
" Hie on the holly-tree ! " — Old Ballad. 

The firelight danced and wavered 

In elvish, twinkling glee 
On the leaves and crimson berries 

Of the great green Christmas Tree ; 

And the children who gathered round it 
Beheld, Avith marvelling eyes. 

Pendant from trunk and branches 
How many a precious prize. 

From the shimmer of gold and silver 
Through a pm-se's cunning net. 

To the coils of a rippling necklace. 
That quivered with beads of jet. 

But chiefly they gazed in wonder 
AVhei-e flickered strangely through 

The topmost leaves of the holly" 
The sheen of a silken shoe ! 

And the eldest spake to her father: 
" I have seen — yes, year by year. 

On the crown of our Chiistmas hollies, 
That small shoe glittering clear; 



THE SILKEN SHOE. 



363- 



" But you never have told who owned it, 

Nor why so loftily set, 
It shines through the fadeless verdure. 

You never have told us yet ! " 

'Twas then that the nuiseful father 

In slow sad accents said. 
While the firelight hovered eerily 

About his downcast head: 



" My children — you had a sister; 

(It was long, long, long ago), 
She came like an Eden rosebud 

'Mid the dreariest winter snow, 

" And for four sweet seasons blossomed 
To cheer our hearts and hearth. 

When the song of the Bethlehem angels 
Lured her away from earth — 




' My shoe, papa, please hang it 
Ouce more ou the holly bough." 



" For again 'twas the time of Christmas, 
As she lay with laboring breath; 

But — our minds were blinded strangely. 
And vve did not dream of death. 

" A little before she left us. 
We had deftly raised to view, 

On the topmost branch of tlie holly 
Yon glinunering, tiny shoe; 

" We knew that no toy would please her 
Like a shoe so fair and neat. 

To fold, with its soft caressing 
Her delicate, sylph-like feet! 

"Truly, a smile like a sunbeam 
Brightened her eyes of blue. 

And once — twice — thrice — she tested 
The charm of her fairy shoe ! 



'• All! then the bright smile flickered, 

Faded, and drooped away. 
As faintly, in tones that faltered, 

I heard our darling say : 

" • My shoe, papa, please hang it 
Once more on the holly bough. 

Just where I am sure to see it, 

When I wake — an hour from now. 

" But alas! she never wakened! 

Close shut were the eyes of blue ; 
Whose last faint gleam had fondled 

The curves of that dainty shoe. 

"Ah, children, you understand me; 

Your eyes are brinnned with dew. 
As they watch on the Christmas holly 

The sheen of a silken shoe." 



304 



FOEMS FOIi ClllLDRKS. 



TiiF nr.ACK nKsrniKit. 
A v.Ai.i.Ai> OK riu: riUKi> c las.vui;. 

FiKST 'mill tho lion Uiohanrs host. 
Sir Ayiuor fought in Holy Land; 

Ami thoy lovoil hiui w ell for his honost 
iiourt. 
Ami thoy foarod. for his stalwart hand. 

Onoo on a giorimts battlo ovo. 

The Tayninv logions wiUlh thing. 
Sir Aymor pausod from his work of 
Mood. 

Wlunv an oastorn knight lay dying. 

llo was tho latost gnanl of ono. 

The Soldan's fair and favorito bride. 
And tluMv on I ho tramplod and oriuison 
sod 

Shi' moanod by tho warrior's sido. 

2sostrongth had ho to shield hiseharge; 

But mild the Christian vietor's faee; 
And the lady knew, as she ga/.oil thereon. 

That his merey would gt-ant hergraee. 

The Payuim died: " I am thy guide." 
The brave Sir Aymer softly said; 

" By my father s faith thou art sivfe froiu 
seaith. 
Wheresoever thou would'st be led." 

True to his word, through friend, through 
foe. 
He bore the lady fast and far. 
Till the hostile sheen of the Moslem 
s peal's 
Flashed under the evening star. 

The Soldan's self with speeehless joy. 

With glistening eyes and bated breath. 
The queen of his house and heart em- 
br.u-ed. 

As if elaiming his Love from death I 

"Now. Christian knight, by this pure 
light. 
No vain nor empty thanks are mine: 
So. name thee the guerdon a king may 
gnint. 
And believe me. it shall be thine." 



'• No giieixlon. prinee. for simple ruth 
The Christian warrior deigns to take; 

He has vowed to reseue the lorn ami 
weak. 
For his own sweet lady's sake.' 

■• All proofs of zeal the grateful feel. 
Surely, fair knight, thou would'st not 
shun".' 
An honored guest, thou wilt tarry and 
rest. 
At least till the morrow's sun ".* '' 

Thus, in the Soldan's lent he stayed — 
What time the queen with passionate 
eyes. 
Struek blind to the harem's splendor, 
dreamed 
Of his beauty with love-siek sighs: 

.\nd ere that morrow's sun had set. 

With soaree a blush her love she told; 
But Sir Aymer hearkened with haughty 
mien. 

And the woiils that he spake were eold. 

Then tlushed the imvHuious forehead 
high. 

.V dark tlame glittered in her eves. 
And the hate of the deadly orient quelled 

The breath of her tender sighs. 

"Sir knight, enough; thonseorn'st my 
love: 
But ere thou goest. take instead 
This marvellous steed of the jot-blaek 
bived. 
In the land of the INlagi bred. 

•• (.^ stern in tight I O swift in flight! 

This matehless steed will serve thee 
well. 
Whether thy hu>? be a lady's bower. 

t>r the vanward war-trump's swell.'' 

He took the gift, he bowed him low. 

And g-ained the Christian eamp at 
noon : 
•• O eourser of might in strife or llight !" 

Quoth he. ■" I shall piwe thee soou.'' 



THE ADVENTURES OE LITTLE BOB BONN YE ACE. 



au5 



The conflict joins; the hosts are hot; 
'I'liiit ^Mlliiut Destrier "holds liis 
own;" 
Aichast at the rush of his wliirlwind 
course, 
Wlioh; kigions are overtluown. 

In twicer tlncc inort.il (•(iiiil)ats more 
The sanu^ tell I'liin niarl<eil his jiatli, 

Till the Saracens (Iccini'd. as liieir iit'e- 
hlood streanieil, 
'Twas a liend of hell in Ids wrath. 

But once, alas! alas I th(? day! 

The Moslem's sudden war-cry rose, 
And the knight liis '"Ave"' forgot to 
say, 

VjW. he hastened lo meet his foes. 

St. I'aid! wliat wizard six'll is lids? 
Tlie Desti'ier spurns llic iiands that 
guide, 
And full on tlic front of \\]i' < '/irisliaii. 
liost 
Swee[>s lja(dv tlirc^iigli Die l)altl(; lidi'. 

Ciramerey! 'twas a dreadful sigld, 

Whicli met the gathering thousands 
tliere, 
W'lu'ii tli(^ war-horse cliargcd iilce a lilaz- 
ing slai', 
Tlirougli a lial(j of hlood-rcd ;ur. 

AVitli bristling mane, and liol- disdain 
Against tlni mail-clad lines lu; came; 

And his r(id orhs hurned with a frenzied 
ire. 
And his nostrils darted (lame. 

Thus Imaging from the heathen van. 
Strange steed and awful rider rushed, 

And the souls of the holdest shrank 
appalled, 
And the wildest voice was hushed ; 

Till swift towards King liichard's camp 
The fiery-fronted jxirteut bore. 

From the fet,!')ck firm to the iiorrcid, crest 
All reeking with Christian gore. 



There, on a sudden paused the hai'l). 

Still, as if carved in marbles black, 
And from silent knight and terrible steed 

TIk; i)ale throng shuddered back: 

Jhit now fiom out the trembling crowd 
A priest with holy water passed. 

He sprinkled the knight, he sprinkhid 
the steed 
AVith the pure lymjili free and fast: 

When lo! the fatal charm dissoKcd — 
I'rone, witii a hollow, latt-ling soinid 

In the (dasp of his unscathed armor, fell 
The kidglit to the bloody groinid : 

They loosed his hauberk and his helm, 
Ihit dead and wan his eyeballs shone, 

As if they had gazed on a nameless 
dread 
Whirli had frozen llieir life to stone! 

They felt his i)ulseless heart, his Ijrow 
Dim with the death-shade's mystic 
gloom, 
While ruthless and stern are, the looks 
Uwy turn 
On the demon that wfoughl- bis doom. 

Ihit pallid as a waning cloud 

Athwart the summer moon-disc hlown, 
The shadowy form of a demon steed 

In the gh(,)st-like ev(! bail grown: 

Only — his supfsmatural eyes 

One mouKiut shot a vengeful sjiark. 

Ere the glimmering Syrian twilight 
closed 
On the steps of the sudden dark. 



77/ A' ADVENTUIIES OI<' LITTLE HOB 
BONNYFACE. 

r.iTTrj': I'oh FJonnyface went out one 

day 
Into his father's fields to play; 
Twas a morn undt'.rkened by mist or 

cloud. 



3tK> 



rOEMs FOIi CniLDl^EX. 



AVith tlio thrush antl the blackbird 

piphiy: louil : 
'The locust, iUh'p in tho piiio-troo wahhI, 
iShrillt'd. as only :i loi-nst I'onlil ; 
And boino on the waft of a siunmor 

bi'Oiv.o. 
J^wavnuni by him an army of lu>noy-boos. 
Doliiihtod ho saw. doliiihtod ho hoard 
Tho morn, tho boos, and tho singing 

bird ; 
llo also sang, as ho roamod through tho 

olovor. 
Woling .•<(> jolly, and froo all ovorl 

Unl Hob — I nuist toll you tho honost 

truth — 
Was a torribly nnsohiovons thoughtloss 

youth; 
Whatovor ho wantod to do or say. 
\W did and ho said in tlio boldost way. 
Not soounng to pondor. ovon ti> oaro 
How naughty his words or his aotions 

woro; 
For tho only aim of this rookloss olf 
\Vas — ovtnywluMO. always, to ploaso — 

hinisolf I 

'Twas to ploaso himsolf. without lioonso 

i>r loavo 
Nor a thought how his ]>oor siok tnoth- 

or nught griovo. 
If sho missod too long, on hor sutYoring 

bod. 
Tho gvldon gloani of his onrly hoad. 
That ho loft his homo through tho tiolds 

to stray. 
On that sunny and boantifid sumuior's 

(lay. " 
As tho air broathod ovor him. blitho- 

somo. but oalm. 
All ladon with fragranoo and moadow- 

bahu. 
And tho sunshino warmod his young 

blooil through. 
Whilo it da/.zlod and danood from tho 

stainloss bluo. 
liob folt that a jollity, wholosomo ami 

swoot. 
Possossod him whollv. from hoad to foot. 



llo looked around, and what should his 

oyo 
In ai\ opon si>aoo 'ntid ilio olovor sjn". 
r>ut an ant-holo. wrought in tho sandy 

drouth. 
(">ut of its busy, iiopidous mouth. 
Tho ilwartish tonaius — an ondloss train, 
Kmorging, oovorod tho tiny plain; 
Eastward and westward, north and 

south. 
Thoy toilod. with a oonsiaiu will, to 

gain 
Tho fairy storos o( thoir winter's grain; 
Yot Hob in his rooklossuoss doomed it 

fun 
The ants and thoir mansion to overrun. 
l>y millions down in the onnnbling si>d 
The frightened oreaturos he swiftly 

trod; 
Filled up with du-^t. and grasses, and 

stone. 
The ontrauoo-ways to thoir lumit'. o'er- 

Ihrowu 
Not oi\o of tho iiuiooont horde, not one. 
Was left to toil in tho laughing smt — 
IhU still Uob shouted, and thought it — 

fun : 

Next on his w andering way ho oame 

To a fiuze-bush. gleaming Hke yellow 
tlame: 

A s^Mdor as ugly and tieroo as sin. 

Had spread tho snares of his web there- 
in; 

Hut — ounning and sly — as Uob rushed 
up. 

lie hid himself deep in a thistle's oup. 

Leaving above, in his worship's steail. 

A bee. oaught fast in his poisoned 
thread! 

Now. here was a ehauoo for Hobby to 

froo 
From his pain ai\d prison this harmless 

boo; 
Hut bless you I no I 'twas a tinor thing 
llf thovight. to pioroe him from wing to 

wing; 
(.hi a pin's keen point to whirl bin; b.'.gh. 



Till': ADVEJSiTUllKti OF LITTLE IJU/i llON N Y FAOK. )\iu 



And hohold tho quivoriiif? inscfL die, 


And next ((-ould the rascal have had a 


Tliis, too, wli(!ii llio baiijarous ;icl, was 


heart':') 


done, 


Its JKNid from the hody was sniitched 


Srcliicil liolllilll^ to I5()l) hill a iiioiiiciil's 


apart, 


— fun. 


Till, a pitiful iniay(! of deal,h and dearth, 




Its carcass lay on the verdant earth! 


Moi'c ulccfid tliiiii ever, liol) oiiwaid 




lircsscd; 


I haven't the leisure to slop and tidl 


III tli(! wayside lliickcts he I'oiiiid a ncsl., 


What otJiei' p;iins ami (;vils befell 


'l'll»! <'f,'^'s liiill' lialclicd; hill lie look 


'I'lu! d(!fen(M'less tenants of wood imd 


llllMII Olll . 


dell; 


And uilli riidi- li;iiiil s<-al lcrc(| lliciii;ill 


All wroiii^hl, by an iirejiiirs iinemlied 


;iIm)IiI , 


will. 


l.aill^liilii; lo sec how Ihc ('.iz^Li-shcIls 


At h'li'^lJi as an evciiiii'^ lair;iiid still, 


hrokc. 


SlKjne over the wood, Itoh si rolled lie- 


IJiil hey! what's Miis '.' wilh a hiiHcliiif; 


yoiid 


stroke-, 


Th(! W(K)ded f^lades to a, qiiiei pond. 


Tlic, wiiii,'H of the oiilra^^i'd inollMi-hird 


The home of (u-ls, nnid-lishes, ;ii]d 


(Who down from Iht ncii^lihoiiii- pcii'li 


things 


lia<l whirred, ) 


Half fro;^s half lish, :ill covered with 


So sniarlly siiiole liini on forelicMd and 


stin,:?s. 


f'.yes, 


And scaly aririor, as liri^lit iis brass; 


'I'hiil. Hohhy in A/.s liirn li-emhlin;; — 


Then and tlKin;, readcu', it i-ame to i)as.s 


Hies! 


That a t(!rrapln, lazily erawlin;^ o'ei' 




Tin; moistem^d ways of its native shore, 


(Don't yon lliink tliat his was a wrcteli- 


Hob shrewdly captured — he tiu'ned his 


'e,d [•li-iif.' 


hack 


.Jiisl, ])ir-t,iire a hni/ from a hird in llinlit! 


lleedfiilly down on the sandy t-iack, 


His liejut iind his knee-joinls weak with 


And — m^ed we say it i' — at oikm; he^an 


fri-iil.) 


'i'o pi'actis(! as ev(;r, his teasing; plan. 




He jiinehed the flesh of the teii-;ipin 


Bnt soon recovered, lie lriidL;i'd alon^. 


SOl'C 


Ilinnrninj^ tin; words of a ha,llii,d-son,i^, 


Racked it liehind, ;iml ijicked it beb)re: 


'J'ill reaeliin;^ a |)lac(! wliere tlnr grasses 


And strove — tho' just, with a toiieh (d' 


hred 


awe, 


Tall " 1jo|iiii-is ■' in Ihonsands, he slaid 


The reptile's he.id from its shell to dr;ivv. 


his Iread, 


When liMik ! the sound of a vi<'ioiis 


And eiiiiiiiii;;ly (■rolieiiin;;, .'is (jlliek as 


siiap! 


thoil^iht, 


And the JuvcMiile's fiiif^ers were in a trap 


A " j^randfatlier ijo|)|)ei-" was deftly 


As ruthless as fate;, and as sharj) iis 


franj^lit. 


steel: 


Bob scjiiofzed Ills body, and pulled his 


Then, fr)llowe(l a pilccjiis discord! 


thighs, 


Sipieal, 


Ami poked a sli'aw in liis wiukiiif^ 


IJcllow, and shri(d<, the echoes ;ironnd, 


eyes: 


Woke U]) from the; startled wave and 


'I'Ikui, with shrill laiij^hter, ;i.nd niei'ry 


•ground. 


scoff, 


Hob sti'ii^.i^led and panteij, kickeil ;ind 


He wrenched both lef,'s of tJie creature 


(■riiid, 


off: 


V(!t, his enemy's bohi all efforts ilefi(-d; 



3t)8 



POEMS FOR CHILDREN. 



llo tliouiilu to risi', luit ho would not ilo 

it. 
For tVar that his niangloil llosh luijilit 

nio it : 
And still moiv auoiiizi'd. aiiury. and 

loud. 
llis yi'lls wont up to a whirliuij; cloud. 
Wlui'h in a uionioiit from out tlio 

hi no. 
(Or siirli intfi hi.-ifiinri/). darker ji'ivw. 
Wlu'uct" ixH'ivd a hoad and a t'ai'o to 

tear: 
Ihii what shall 1 sav of the monster's 

leer. " i 

llis luiue mouth stretehins; from ear to i 

oar-.* 

"You have tortureil,"' lit saitl) "and 

torn all day 
CJod's helpless ereatiues in wanton 

play ; 
Now, loarn, oh I eruel and eoward elf I 
A useful lesson of i>ain. yourself! 
Does it burn ami sting to the deepest 

nerve ? 
What less ilo your brutal deeds iloserve ? 
How I groaning again! for shame! be 

done ! 
you ()()/*/ torturvd, >/ou kiioa\ — in 

t'ltn .' " 



AVhen he gained from the terrapin's 

eluteh release 
While resting, that night, on his eoueh 

in poaee. 
There softly dawneil thro' the twilight 

gloom. 
A faee more fair than a white-rose 

bloom ; 
Anil a voieo that seemed like the under 

speeeh 
Of the waters that swoon on a breezeless 

beaeh. 
Whispered as low as low could Iv: 
'*T>ookup! 1 charge thee! and worship 

me ; 
And yet not me. hut the Master — 

tMu-ist : 



" ^ly name is Pity! — I am enticed 
From even the Heaven of Heavens to 

bring 
Soft balms for mortal suffering; 
.Vml whosoever the frailest thing 
With strength within it to feel or love, 
^Vounds //()■( — he is torturing me 

above; 
And worse — for the pangs of that 

anguish dart 
Through nunc, to the tender Saviour's 

heart!" 

Silence! — but just as sleep was won. 
Anil ovi-r the boy's bright eyes of brown. 
The delicate lashes came drooping down. 
Thro' the silvery eddies of moonlight 

mist. 
There stole the shadow of lips that 

kissed 
The stain from the childish soul away. 
That sadlv sinning, had deemed it — 

play! 



A/.S5 MK, KATIE! 

KAriK. Katie, little Katie! 
Month of rose and eyes of blue. 
(F'yes that look one frankly through!) 
When I'm absent don't you miss me ? 
Now I'm near you, come and kiss me! 
Katie, little Katie, kiss me! 
Katie, do! 

Katie. Katie, pretty Katie! 
Prettier far than Jane or Ln. 
Madge or Margaret, 3Iand or Prue; 
(.iraeeful as a spring-born fairy. 
Tuneful as your pet canary — 
Katie, pretty Katie, kiss me! 
Katie, do! 

Katie, sly. deceptive Katie! 
If yon tly me I'll pursue. 
(What though corux or !/o«f should rue!) 
Tlien. if 1 can overmatch yon. 
Punning fast can clasp and catch you. 
Captured Katie, won't yon kiss me ? 
Katie, do! 






"'■*1^/"*P" 


V ■","■' 






•■■1 

' -'1 






1^ 


■ t 













Eit^--.^^/-/ .^.^ifc^t. /^c. ; 



■f,f«i^viiik.';U-.^ '-•■■ 




■, j-n-lty Kali'-, kiss me." 



CAGED. — LITTLE LOTTIE'S GRIEVANCE. 



369 



Katie, mute, day-dreaming Katie, 
If I toll your thoughts to you, 
(Juess your dreams and make them true, 
AVou't you eease your coy defiance, 
Vanciuisheil by such wondrous science — 
AVon't you kiss me, Katie darling? 
Katie, do! 

Katie, captious little Katie! 
Wliy that (|uickly tapping shoe, 
J\eady shrug and scornful moue f 
( 'an it 1)(^ you mean to scout me '? 
Just because I'm (jratiiffh, flout me ? 
Are youmuttering, "Kissimi! nkvkk! 
No, I canH ! and no, I looivt /" 
O, you petulant, changeful Katie ! 
Katie, don't ! 



CAGED. 



Yor think he sings a gladsome song! 

Ah, well, lie .s/)if/,s / but only see 
How oft on glossy neck and breast 

His i)right head droops despondingly; 
Or note the restless, eager bird 
When a/rcc minstrel's voice is heard. 

Vou thhik because he pecks his grain 
With vigorous mien and active bill. 

This long cai)tivity has trained 
To tame content his roving will. 

But watcli, as some wild [linion flies. 

Flashed near his cage, from summer 
skies: 

He lifts his crest, his eyes dilate 
To yearning orbs of passionate fire; 

His whole small body seems to thrill, 
And vibrate to the heart's desire: 

The deathless wish once more to roam 

The broad blue heaven God made his 
home. 

Mark, next, the weary pant, the sigh 
Of hope deferred, that follows then; 

Perchance your captive's pain is deep 
As that which haunts imprisoned )nen, 

Pining behind their cruel bars 

For sunlight or the holy stars. 



Come! ope the door! he owns a soul 
As tender, sensitive and fine 

As yours or mine — for aught we know. 
And dowered with rights scaicc less 
Divine; 

Come! let him choose, at least, between 

God's azure and yon gilded screen! 

Pureed! yet lie llics not! — Wait! — his 
brain 
Is dazed! — he comprehends not yet 
How earnest is your proffered l)Oon, — 

How surely his the glorious debt 
Of freedom and all free-born things : 
Wait! — ha! he prunes his doubtful 
wings. 

Hops, perch by perch, to gain the door; 

Then, as if first conviction came. 
Full-faced, and whispered, " tlion. art 
free!" 

He darts without, a wingi-d flame. 
And soon from far. fair cloudland floats 
Tlie rapture of his grateful notes! 



LITTLE LOTTIE'S GRIEVANCE. 

Mamma's in heaven! and so, you see 
My sister Bet's mamma to me. 
Oh! yes, 1 love her! — that's to say, 
I love her well the whole bright day; 
For Sis is kind as kind can be. 
Until, indeed we've finished tea — 
Then (why did (Jod make ugly night? ) 
Hhe never, never treats mo right, 
But always says, " Now, sleei>y head, 
'Tis getting late! come up to bod!'' 

Just when the others, Fred and Fay, 
Dolly and Dick, are keen for play — 
Card-houses, puzzles, painted blocks. 
Cat-corner, and pert Jack-in-the-box — 
I must (it's that bad gas, I think. 
That makes mo somehow seem to wink!) 
]\rnst- leave them all to seek the gloom 
Of sister Bet's close-curtained room. 
Put on that long stiff gown I hate. 
And go to bed — oh, dear! at eight! 



070 



POEMS FOR CHILDREN. 



Now, is it fair that I who stand 


Which in misty droplets fell 


Taller than Dolly by a hand, 


O'er their dwelling of unrest, 


(I'll not believe, howe'er 'tis told, 


While the sufferer's faces grew 


That cousin Doll is ten years old ! 


Softer 'neath the healing dew! 


And just because I'm only seven. 




Should be so teased, yes, almost driven. 


But, too far within that hell 


Soon as I've supped my milk and bread, 


Venturing, some malicious fiend, 


To that old drowsy, frowsy bed ? 


A small devil hardly weaned, 


I've lain between the dusky posts, 


Seized bold Uobin in his claw. 


And shivered when I thought of ghosts : 


Striving thro' the flames to draw 


Or else have grown so mad, you know. 


His poor body, until fled 


To hear those laughing romps below, 


Sight of eyes and sense of head, 


While there I yawned and stretched 


Scorched he lay and almost dead ! 


(poor me!) 




With one dim lamp for company. 


Then, a child whose tongue and brow, 


I've longed forcoui-age just to dare 


Eobin's help had cooknl but now. 


Dress softly — then trip down the stair. 


Clutched the baby-fiend in ire, 


And on the parlor poj) my head 


And in gulfs of his own fire 


With " No, I will not stay abed ! " 


Soused the vile misshapen elf. 


I'll do it yet, all quick and bold, 


Fluttering upwards, scarce himself. 


No matter how our Bet may scold. 


After all the pain and fear 


For, oh! I'm sure it can't be right. 


Of his horrid sojourn there 


To keep me here each dismal night, 


In that realm of flame and smoke, 


Half scared by shadows grimly tall 


Lo! earth's happy sunlight broke 


That dance along the cheerless wall, 


On the bird's dazed view at last; 


Or by the wind, with fingers chill, 


But the ordeal he had passed 


Shaking the worn-out window-sill 


Left a flame-spot widely spread 


One might-as well be sick or dead, 


Where the wind-blo^^■n feathers part 


As sent by eight o'clock to bed! 


Just above his loyal heart. 


— * — 


So the robin's breast is red! 


A NEW VEliSION OF WHY THE 


— • — 


EOniN'S BREAST IS RED. 


THE LITTLE .SAINT. 

\ 


Kxow you why the robin's breast 


At the calm matin hour 


Gleameth of a dusky red. 


I see her bend in prayer. 


Like the lustre mid the stars 


As liends a virgin flower 


Of the potent planet Mars ? 


Kissed by the summer air; 


'Tis — a monkish myth has said — 


Oh. meek her downcast eyes! 


Owing to his cordial heart; 


But the sweet lips wear a smile; 


For, long since, he took the part 


How hard our little angel tries 


Of those hapless children, sent 


To be serious all the while ! 


Hadean-ward for punishment; 




And, to quench the fierce desire. 


I tell her 'tis not right 


Bred in them by ruthless fire, 


To be half-grave, half-gay, 


Brought on tiny bill and wing. 


Imploring in Pleaven's sight 


Water from some earthly spring, 


A blessing on the day; 



A NE]V PIIU.OSOPHY. — BABY'S FIRST WORD. 



371 



She hears and looks devout — 
Although it gives her pain; 

Still, when the ritual's almost out 
She's sure — to smile again! 

She sliocks her maiden aunt, 

Who thinks it a disgrace 
That, do her best, she can't 

Give her a solemn face ; 
She'll scold and rate and fume, 

And lecture hour by hour, 
Until she makes the very room 

Look passionate and sour! 

Alack, "t is all in vain! 

Soon as the sermon's done 
My fairy blooms again, 

Like a rose-bud in the sun. 
I cannot damp her mirth! 

I will not check her play ; 
Is guileless joy so rife on earth, 

Hers shall not have full sway ? 

I asked her yester night, 

Why, when Jfer prayer was made. 
Her brow of cordial light 

Scarce caught a serious shade. 
"i^«i/(ef," she said, "?/ou love 

Better to meet me glad ; 
And so I thought the Christ above 

Might grieve to see me — sad ! " 



A NEW PHILOSOPHY; OR, STAR 
SHOWERS EXPLAINED. 

OxE luminous night in winter. 

All crystal clear and still, 
A band of wondering children 

Were grouped by the window sill. 

The window looked out northward. 
Where through the tranquil hours 

The stars kept falling, falling. 
In a ceaseless shine of showers. 

Ah! bea^itiful sight! those children! — 
As they gazed on the magic skies. 

With their tiny hands uplifted, 
And their large, bright, marvelling 
eyes. 



" What is it ? " asked curly Alfred, 

Of his elder brother, ( rus ; 
" Does you think it is coming nearer ? 

If it comes, can it fall on us '? " 

"No, stupid!" (in tones determined,) 
But soon he was touched by doubt, 

And wished, as the flames waxed 
brighter. 
Somebody woidd put them out! 

For, indeed, the radiant sparkles 
Now poured from a grander height: 

And tilled like a conflagration. 
The hollows and gulfs of night! 

Till at last they all grew frightened ; 

And the small dark heads and liglit 
Were in a closer circle, 

While still tliey watclied the night! 

All but one sturdy urchin, 

Tlie smallest and shrewdest there, 
Whose eyes like a pert cock robin's. 

Turned up on the northward glare, 

As lie lisped, with an air quite final. 
And with somewhat of scorn and 
scoff: 

"IVs the Fourth of July up yonder, 
And the wockets is lohlzzing ojf! " 



BABY'S FIRST WORD. 

We watclied our baby day by day. 

With earnest expectation. 
To liear his infant lips unclose 

In vague articulation. 

But weeks, nay weary months, passed on ; 

His last wee tooth had broken 
From rosy gums, yet not a word, 

Not one had baby spoken. 

" O Eol!" I cried, " it cannot be 

A child so quick and clever, 
WHio hears ('tis plain he hears our talk), 

Should thus stay dumb forever!" 



372 



POEMS FOR CHILD REX. 



Rol answered sharply, vexed and red, 
'• What wretched nonsense, Jenny! 

I never could have dreamed, my dear, 
You'd prate like such a ninny! " 

(Yes, that's the term, I must confess, 
By which, with judgment narrow, 

He dared for once, just once, you know. 
To call his '" winsome marrow."') 

Cut what cared I ? since as I live. 

True as my name is Jenny, 
From out the cradle clear and loud. 

Came back the bad word " Ninny! '' 

Thence uprose baby all aglee. 
His peaceful slumbers routed, 

And thrice that naughty, naughty word 
He spoke, nay, almost sliouted ! 

Kol, glancing at my startled eyes, 
His mirth could scarcely smother. 

But oh! to think the rogue's first word 
iShould thus abuse his mother! 



THE CHAMELEON. 

I KXOAV that I'm like, yet I am not, a 

snake ! 
"Tis true that 1 glisten by boll and 

by brake, 
That I dart out and in, can glide, quiver 

and coil 
As swift as the lightning, but softer than 

oil. 
Yet a creature more innocent never was 

drawn 
From the gray of cool shadows to bask 

in the dawn ! 

If I pause by a brook the rock-currents 
divide, 

I grow silvery-white as the foam of its 
tide; 

If 'mid dew-freshened meadows at sun- 
rise I pass. 

There's a shaft of pure emerald shot 
through the grass. 



When to gay garden-closes I joyfully turn, 
'Tis mine with all hues, of their roses to 

burn ; 
I reflect each bright blush that the 

petals have won 
Of their young virgin-flowers from the 

kiss of the sun. 
My skin's a clear mirror, a glass of the 

elves. 
In which all lovely tints can smile back 

on themselves! 
Stranger still ! for on ugliness mirrored 

therein. 
Though it tarnish a moment, this magi- 
cal skin. 
On the dark and uncouth some slight 

beauty's bestowed; 
Why, even that dull little hunchback, 

the toad, 
I endow with faint outlines of sweetness 

and grace. 
While the newt, glancing down on his 

lop-sided face. 
Reflected, — in pity ,— by softened de- 
grees. 
Almost dreams he was formed by kind 

Nature to please ! 

Ah, therefore, sweet maiden, shrink not 
when you see 

My lithe body reposing by streamlet or 
tree; 

But kneel down where I rest, and all 
mellowed behold 

Your eyes of deep blue, and yoiu" ring- 
lets of gold. 

In my miniature mirror, my glass of the 
elves. 

Wherein all lovely things can smile back 
on themselves! 



FLYING FURZE. 

AiKii.Y, fairily. over the meadows. 
Over the broom-grasses waving and gay, 
O ! see how it shinmiers. 
How wavers and glimmers. 
Flying, and flying away. 



THE NEW SISTER. — HOP, SKIP, AND JUMP. 



373 



Hastef Lilly, wastefully, over the copses, 
Over the hedge-rows in scattered array, 
See, see how 'tis curling 
And twinkling and whirling, 
Ever and ever away ! 

Merrily, cheerily, down the far verges. 
Verges of fields growing misty and gray. 
Still, still how it shimmers, 
Grows fainter and glimmers, 
Shiminers, and glimmers away! 



Phil. 
Pete. 
Phil. 
Pete. 

Phil. 

Pete. 

Phil. 
Pete. 
Phil. 
Pete. 
Phil. 

Pete. 



Phil. 
Pete. 



Phil. 
Pete. 

Phil. 



Pete. 
Phil. 



THE NEW SISTER. 

Say, Pete, do you like her? 

Like ! love her you mean ! 

Ain't she jolly and red ? 

And hurrah for her! just think of 
her head ! 

As big as a pippin, and round as 
a bullet ! 

And bald ! oh ! as bald as a newly- 
plucked pullet ! 

Did you look at her eyes too ? 

Of course ; they are blue. 

Not a bit of it — black! 

Blue, I tell you — ask Jack! 

Jack! I've eyes of my own that 
see better than his ! 

Brag on ! but for once they have 
led you amiss. 

Baby's eyes are blue — very! 

As black as a berry ! 
Blue, you ninny! but s' pose we 
come down to her nose ! 

It's as funny and fat with an end 
like — 

Like a rose ? 

No ! a small dab of putty just tint- 
ed with pink ! 

Now, stoo-pid! how can you! I'm 
sure that I think 

Nothing nicer than roses so 
dumpy and smug — 

Pshaw! you mean it's a boo-ti-ful, 
boo-ti-ful pug! 

Well, you naughty old Pete! you 
can't laugh at her chin! 



Pete. 
Phil. 



Pete. 
Phil. 



Pete. 

Phil. 

Pete. 
Phil. 
Pete. 
Phil. 



Pete. 

Phil. 
Pete. 
Phil. 



Oh, no, it's the nattiest, sauciest, 

sweetest — 
The nicest, completest. 
Of arch little chins, with a dimple 

put in. 

That winks up like a sunbeam. 
And then her wee throat! 
Her throat like egg-foam, or a 

syllabub boat 

On a lake of clear cream! 
And her arms ; they are nice now ; 

there's notliing can beat them! 
So plump, round, and soft! I'm 

most ready to eat them ! 
Of course, Phil, you kissed her? 
Oh, didn't I! 
Well ! 
Well, I put my mouth down ; I had 

something to tell ; 
Ah! close whispered close in the 

shy little ear. 
That seemed to turn up, Pete, half 

coyly to hear. 
And again, as I kissed her — 
You blessed the good Lord for so 

jolly a sister! 
Yes, I did ! 
So did I! 
And now, Pete, 'tis but right 

We should go in once more and 

bid "Baby" good night! 



HOP, SKIP, AND JUMP: A QUEER TRIO 
PERSONIFIED. 

O ! Hop is a sailor used up in the war. 

With a single good leg to stand on ; 
And a face as dingy almost as the tar 

He was wont to rest his hand on : 
And he grumbles strange oaths in his 

hairy throat 
Whenever he sees a fair vessel afloat, 
Especially one with those staring round 
eyes 
(Port-holes, you know) 
Whence the hot shot flies 
At a quaking foe ; 
For then his anger, it fizzles up 



374 



POEMS FOB CHILD HEN. 



(Like the sputtering foam in a lager-beer 
eup), 
And he hoarsely cries, 
" May witches tly oft' with that fellow by 

whom 
I'm reduced to the cruel, contemptible 
doom 
Of tottering all day, 
In an imbecile way, 
"Twixt a single good leg 
And this base wooden peg, 
Far, far from the spume 
Of the gay ocean-spray ! 
So, seize him, and scorch him, and fry 
him, I say!" 

But Skip is a mincing lady fine; 

She never was seen to breakfast or 

dine; 
And how she lives, none kuowcth ; 
Her waist is so very slender and thin. 
You fear it must snap, and topple in. 

At the first slight wind that bloweth. 
Her favorite motion's an airy jerk. 
With her eyeballs raised, and her chin 

a-perk, 
And her little red ringlets bobbing, 
Bobbing and hobnobbing. 
In a fi'iendly fashion, each to each; 
And her cheek is the lino of a delicate 

peach 
(That never a shade can vary) ; 
'' Perpetual motion'' she's sometimes 

called, 
And really, truly one feels appalled 
To view her galvanized skipping, 
Her dancing, wriggling, whipping 
Of one skirt in and one skirt out, 
Her general manner of going about, 
Which lies, I ween. 
Half pitched between 
The twittering, fussy, old-maidish way 

Of the restless jay. 
And the airs of a sprightly canary! 

Jump is a long-limbed sturdy boy. 
With such strong muscles to back 
him. 



That I hardly could wish the creature 
joy 
Who should ever dare to attack him; 
A four-foot fence he clears in a minute; 
And if you bet from the cottage eave 
(And a very tall cottage it is in sooth), 
With your leave, or without your leave, 
That he cannot jump 
With a dauntless thump, 
And a thundering bump, — 
Be sure that he'll quickly win it ! 
And, to whisper the truth, — the fearful 

truth, 
I believe if whale or dragon, 
The one on sea, and t'other on land, 
(The biggest that either could brag on), 
Came Hoating, or crawling nigh, 
That this marvellous boy. 
With a ringing cry 
Of fierce, exuberant, reckless joy. 
Would, just for the fun of it. 
Make a swift run of it 
Right down the jaws of whichever 

dread vermin 
The turn of chance or a thought should 
determine! 

So here my song ends. 

And ye. charming young friends ! 

Don't entleavor to pump 

My dry fancy again; 

'Tis enough I've made plain 

As Tonnny's big nose 

Looming red o'er the snows, 
Those impalpable ideas of Hop. Skip, 
and Jump! 



DAXCIXG. 

Daxcixg! I love it, night or day: 

There's nought on earth so jolly, 
Whether you straightly glide with May, 

Or madly whirl with INIolly. 
The country dance is smooth and sleek; 

But waltzes (some call vicious!) 
Bring one so near a rosy cheek, 

That. Jack, they're just delicious! 



DANCING. 



375 



At every chance, I'm bound to go. 
And join our " West End" classes. 

With all about me coinine ilj'aid, 
To captivate the lasses. 



I think they rather like me, Jack, — 
(Oh, dear I the pretty creatures!; — 

One shyly praised — behind my back — 
She dill — my llniiiun. features! 




" Dancing ! I love it, night or day : 
Tlicre's nought on earth so jolly." 



Yet somehow. Jack, the loveliest she 

(I mean sweet Mary Whimple) 
Has never, never turned on me 

A single charming dimple: 
But when I try the least advance. 

Her smile is changed to sn(>ering; 
Three times slie has snubbrd me in i 
dance 

To please that odious Speering! 



he 



All! Jack, it makes my bosom swell, 

And all my life forlorner. 
To think (while others like me well) 

She, f^he should be a scorner! 
I cannot be revenged on her, 

Nor tvmild. if able even; 
]5ut, oh ! that long-legged Speering 
cur 

I wish he was — in heaven! 



376 POEMS FOR 


CHILDREN. 


He has given my hopes a bhghting touch 


Still advancing, 


Though lank as any mummy ; 


Still retreating, 


And as iovin'nid, — l"ve seen as much 


Glittering, fleeting. 


In some poor jjasteboard dummy: 


Never dozing, nor reposing. 


But then the best of girls are queer — 


But forever dancing, dancing; 


Titania loved a donkey; 


And in numberless quaint fusions. 


So Mary airs her charms to snare 


And eye-dazzling convolutions, 


This awkward ball-rooin flunkey ! 


Deftly sped 




Overhead — 


Ila! now my steam Is all blown off, 


See ( where happy sunshine mellows 


Once more I'm pleased and placid; 


All the air) those jovial fellows! 


If Mary Whimple still will scoff, 


Ah ! ye tricksome waifs and tiny, 


Why should I too grow acid ? 


Who may circumvent and bind ye ? 


With jovial smile and heart in tune 


Can it be such creatures antic. 


(111 humor's best disarmers,) 


Unrestrained, grotesquely frantic. 


See, Jack, if I don't figure soon — 


Are but small nymplis out of school. 


Adoujs 'mid the charmers! 


Laughing at all graver rule ? 




Or loose sylphides, bent on sowing, 




Sowing, 




Sowing, 


MOTES. 


In their thoughtless mirtli o'erflowing, 


Up and down, up and down. 


Naughty crops of wildish oats ? 


In the air the sunshine mellows — 


How they jostle, wiiirl and hustle. 


Green or yellow, gold or brown, 


Up and down, up and down. 


See those gay capricious fellows ! 


Through the air tlie sunshine mellows! 


Sparkling, glittering, frisking, dancing, 


Green or yellow, gold or brown. 


Now retreating, now^ advancing, 


All those gay, capricious fellows, 


Livelier than the jolliest clown, 


Evanescent, 


Tinier than the tiniest fairy 


Omnipresent, 


That e'er robbed a farmer's dairy 


Sliy eluders. 


Of the luscious cream which floats 


Bold obtruders. 


Round his frothed and brimming bowls 


Past all joking, most provoking, 


Buoyant, tireless little souls! 


Tricksy, whisky, frisky. 


Who can fold them. 


Motes ! 


Catch or hold them ? 




Evanescent, 


^ 


▼ ~ ' 


Omnipresent, 




Shy eluders. 


THE GROUND SQUIRREL. 


Bold obtruders. 




Past all joking, most provoking, 


Bless us, and save us! What's here? 


Tricksy, whisky, frisky 


Pop! 


Motes. 


At a bound. 




A tiny brown creature, grotesque in his 


Up and down, iip and down. 


grace. 


Liglit in sunshine, lost in shadow — 


Is sitting before us, and wasliing his face 


Green or yellow, gold or brown. 


With his little fat paws overlapping; 


Over hill and over meadow, 


Where does he hail from ? Where V 


Swiftly over 


Why, there. 


Eock-ribbetl lieight and billowy clover. 


Underground, 



ARTIE'S ''AJIEXr 



377 



From a nook just as cosy, 


And his ways, on the whole, 


And tranquil, and dozy. 


So unsteady ! 


As e'er wooed to Sybarite napping 


'Pon my soul. 


(But none ever caught him a-napping). 


Having gazed 


" Don't you see his soft burrow so quaint. 


Quite amazed. 


lad ! and queer ? ' ' 


On each wonderful antic 




And summersault frantic, 


Gone! like the flash of a gun! 


For just a bare minute. 


This oddest of chaps, 


My head, it feels whizzing; 


Mercurial, 


My eyesight's grown dizzy; 


Disappears 


And both legs, unstable 


Head and ears ! 


As a ghost's tipping table. 


Then, sly as a fox. 


Seem waltzing, already! 


Swift as Jack in his box, 




Pops up boldly again ! 


Capture liim! no, we won't do it, 


What does he mean by this frisking 


Or in less than no time, how we'd rue 


about. 


it! 


Now up and now down, and now in and 




now out, 


« 


And all done quicker than winking? 




What does it mean ? Why, 'tis plain. 


An TIE'S ''AMEAV 


fun ! 


They were Methodists twain, of the 


Only fun ! or, perhaps, 


ancient school. 


The pert little rascal's been drink- 


Who always followed the wholesome 


ing? 


rule 


There's a cider press yonder all day on 


That whenever the preacher in meeting 


the run I 


said 




Aught that was good for the heart or 


Capture him! no, we won't do it. 


head 


Or, be sure in due time we would rue 


His hearers should pour their feelings 


it! 


out 




In a loud " 7\men " or a godly shout. 


Such a piece of perpetual motion. 




Full of bother 


Three children had they, all honest boys, 


And pother. 


Whose youthful sorrows and youthful 


Would make paralytic old Bridget 


joys 


A fidget. 


They shared, as your loving parents will, 


So you see (to my notion). 


While tending them ever through good 


Better leave our downy 


and ill. 


Diminutive browny 


One day — 'twas a bleak, cold Sabbath 


Alone near his " diggings " ; 


morn. 


Ever free to pursue, 


When the sky was dark and the earth 


Kush round, and renew 


forlorn — 


His loved vaulting 


These boys, with a caution not to roam. 


Unhalting, 


Were left by the elder folk at home. 


His whirling. 




And curling, 


But scarce had they gone when the 


And twirling. 


wooded frame 


And swirling, 


Was seen by the tall stove pipe aflame; 



378 



POEMS FOB CHILD REX. 



And out of their reach, high, high, and 

higher. 
Kose tlie red coils of the serpent lire, 

AVith startled sight for a wliile they 

gazed. 
As the pipe grew hot and the wood-work 

blazed : 
Then up. though his heart beat wild with 

dread. 
The eldest climbed to a shelf o'erhead. 
And soon, with a sputter and hiss of 

steam. 
The llanie died out like an angry ilreaiu. 

AVhen the father and mother came back 

that day — 
They had gone to a neighboring church 

to pray — 
Each looked, but with half-averted eye. 
On the awful doom which had just 

passed by. 

And then the father began to praise 
His boys with a tender and sweet amaze. 
"AVhy. how did you manage. Tom. to 

climb 
And quench the threatening flames in 

t ime 
To save vour brothers, and save your- 
self?" 
" Well, father, I mounted the strong oak 

shelf 
By help of the table standing nigh." 
"And what," quoth the father, suddenly. 
Turning to Jennny, the next in age. 
'• Did >/oii to quiet the tiery rage ?" 
" / brought the pail, and the dipper too. 
And so it was that the water fiew 
All over the flames, and quenched them 
quite." 

A mist came over the father's sight. 
A mist of pride and of righteous joy. 
As he turned at last to his yoimgest boy. 
A gleeful luchin scarce three yeai-s old. 
With his dimpling cheeks and his hair 

of gold. 
'• Come. Artie. I'm sure ijoit weren't 

afraid : 



Now tell in what way you tried to aid 
This fight with the fire." " Too small 

am I." 
Artie replied, with a half-ilrawn sigh, 
''To fetch like Jennny. and work like 

Tom : 
So I stood just here for a minute duud». 
Because, papa. 7 wax frlnJiteneil some : 
But I prayed. ' Om- Father.' and then. 

and then 
I shouted as loud as I could. ' Amen." "' 



rilUr.F. POUT li A ITS OF HOYS. 

STUKin' little form, of true 

Saxon pattern, through and tiuough; 

Face as purely Saxon, too. 

With a smile demure and sly. 

Dimpled cheek and twinkling eye; 

Bobin head, with sideway perk, 

O'er some cunning rusv at work; 

Welcome, lad! of wholesome ways. 

And true juvenile displays; 

Now progressing at full speed 

On your gay velocipetle. 

(Yet where'er it deftly goes. 

Wronging no one's dress or toes) ; 

Xow. beneath the basement liid. 

On a dwarfish i>yraniid 

Toiling, with scarred bricks and stone, 

After methods, all your own: 

A small Cheops ! scarce less shrewd 

In your piu'pose and yom' mood. 

Than that king of mobs and mud. 

By the old Nilotic flood! 

Or with flying scarf and hat. 

Coursing some half-frantic cat. 

Fraught with wiath, and words that rail. 

Should poor Tabby save his tail! 

For the " old Adam's" sometimes seen 

In your act ions and your mien. 

But no more than umst appear 

In his undegenerate heir. 

Grown from what seems nature's plan, 
What w ill Henry be as man ? 
One of healthful, mental range. 
Honored at the dooi-s of 'Chan>re ? 



THREE P0UTRA1T8 OF BOYS. 



879 



Of a quick and eagor mind, 


Glimpsed "twixt light and shadow dim. 


At the rise of fortune's wind; 


Dare 1 propliesy of him ".' 


.Slin'wd I pcriduuice willi scores of 


Subtle, mystical, relined. 


friends. 


Seem the thoughts that haunt, his mind, 


And productive dividends '' 


While large forces play tlieir part 




On the boy's emljattled heart, 


On life's middle pathway still, 




By extremes of good and ill. 


Stubborn v-Ul — it irks to yield. 


Evermore unvisited, 


Always watchful — under shield; 


81iall we see him safely tread ? 


Scorn of all who do him wrong. 


Not ambitious of grand things, 


Keen, implacable and strong; 


Or the scope of eagle's wings; 


Yet — toward the fair and just, 


Hut within the limits meet 


Love, that's crowned with generous 


Of his unpretentious feet, 


trust ; 


A good man, perhaps a wise. 


And those graces, pure and high. 


Who — (in ledger of tlie slcies). 


Born of tender loyalty I 


May — unsnuitched by blots of blame, 




Find, at last, his honest name ? 


Willi a firm and wise control, 




Guide the currents of his soul ! 


MAlilOX. 


Forceful are they, and must ride 


IJRfiiix of the Syrian face, 


Ever, with impetuous tide, 


And half melanclioly grace. 


If to (Uity's strand they flow. 


With a look in your dark eyes, 


Fraught with all pure flowers that 


Sometimes deep and overwise; 


blow. 


What shall be your mortal doom ? 


Or, the Syren's lotus-lea. 


Desert blight, or healthful bloom ? 


Fronting death's unfathomod sea! 


Shall the lily, Virtue, shine 




On your life, made thus divine; 


IIKKBKUT. 


Or ('orinthian roses slied 


An! you tricksy little elf, 


Poisoned petals on your head ? 


IIow you idolize yourself! 



Ah! the soul that dwells in you, 
Heaven hath blent of flame and dew 
Mixed by subtlest art together 
In your nature's changeful weather. 
Whence a lightning-glitter warm, 
Now and then, portends a storm; 
Surli a storm of tropic strain. 
Scathed by fire and big with rain; 
All your being o'er and under, 
Thrilled as if by spirit-thunder; 
Till, exhausted at the soiu'ce 
Of its wild imperious course 
Passion — like a blast that dies 
Down the slowly brightening skies, 
Thro' loud sob and Aveary moan 
Falls to plaintive monotone ! 

Strange child-soul, but lialf luifurled, 
Who shall scan its c()ni])lex world '.' 



And believe the world was made 
Like a gay-hued mas(juera<le, 
Just for you to sport and dance, 
Ever, in a happy trance I 
How I envy you the joy 
Of such bright (dxtiidon, boy! 
All your buoyant veins are rife 
With the sunniest wine of life! 
And if e'er a shadow strays 
O'er your glad, elysian ways, 
'Tis but like the doubtful mote 
In the morning's eye afloat; 
At the slightest breeze of fun, 
Cloudless is your spirit's sun! 

Still, my tricksy little elf. 
Idolize your blissful self; 
Ureani you'll always be a boy, 
And tliat life's a painted toy, 



380 



POEM^ FOR CHILD BEX. 



Just for you to hasten after. 
Full of thoiijihtless mirth and laughter; 
Soon, alack 1 how grim and grum, 
Disenohantment's sure to come! 
Life, with which you loved to play. 
Slowly turns from gold to gray; 
All its splendid tints are lost, 
For. experience, cold as frost. 
Dims the hues which inidetiled. 
Blessed the outlook of the child; 
And we learn in momnful wise, 
Earth's no longer — Paradise! 



BIRDS. 



That's the dove, my darling! 
Murmurous, soft and tender; 
There! she's mooning, crooning, 
On a pine-branch slender. 
And ah I it's the dove, the dove. dove. 

dove. 
That never can coo. but she pleads of 
love. 
Of love. love. love. 
In the shadows fair and tender. 

That's the wron. my fairy! 

With her wee love-pledges ; 
See her playing, straying 
Underneath the hedges. 
And oh! it's the wi-en. the wren. wren. 

wren. 
That is never contented too far from 
men. 
But lives, lives, lives 
Secure in the tield-side hedges. 

That's the thrush, my beauty! 

Harki and let us hear her. 
Yonder swinging, singing. 
Higher, bolder, clearer. 
And oh! it's the thrush, the thrush. 

thrush, thrush. 
"Whose loud song wakens the noon-tide 
hush. 
The deep, deep hush 
Of the meadows and wolds, to hear 
her! 



That's the mockbird. sweetheart ! 

To all tones beholden. 
Which are thrilling, tilling 
Glades of woodland golden. 
And ah! it's a bird, a bird. bird, bird. 
The sweetest that ever a mortal heard. 
Ah! sweet, sweet, sweet. 
In the sunshine, fresh and golden ! 



TffE DEAD CHILD AXD THE MOCK- 
ISG-BIUD. 

OxcE in a land of balm and tlowers. 

Of rich fruit-laden trees. 
Where the wild wreaths from jasmine 
bowers 

Trail o'er Floridian seas; 

We marked cm- Jeannie's footsteps riui 
Athwart the twinkling glade; 

She seemed a Hebe in the sun. 
A Dryad in the shade ! 

And all day long her winsome song, 

Her trebles and soft trills, 
Woidd wave-like tlow or silvery low 

Die down the tinkling rills. 

One morn, midmost the foliage dim. 

A dark-gray pinion stirs; 
And hark! along the vine-clad limb. 

What strange voice blends with hei-s '? 

It blends with hers which soon is stilled ! 

Biiwer the mock-biixl's note 
Than all the strains that ever filled 

The queeidiest hiunan throat : 

As Jeannie heard, she loved the biixl. 

And sought thenceforth to share 
With her new favorite dawn by da\\Ti, 

Her daintiest morning cheer! 

But ah! a blight beyond our ken. 
From some far fevenms wild. 

Brought that dark shadow feared of 
men. 
Across the fated child! 



THE LITTLE OB AND DUCHESS. 



381 



It (iiillod her drooping curls of brown, 

It dimmed her violet eyes, 
And like an awful cloud stole down 

From vague mysterious skies ! 

At last, one day our Jeannie lay, 

All pulseless, pale, forlorn; 
The sole sweet breath on lips of death. 

The mocking breath of morn! 

Wiien just beyond the o'ercurtained 
room, 

(How tender yet how strong!) 
Kose through the nusty morning gloom, 

The mock-bird's sudden song! 

Dear Christ! those notes of golden peal, 
Seem caught from heavenly spheres ; 

Yet through their marvellous cadence, 
steal 
Tones soft as chastened tears! 

Is it an angel's voice that throbs 
Within the brown bird's breast ? 

Whose rhythmic; magic soars, or sobs. 
Above our darling's rest ? 

The fancy passed, but came once more, 
When stolen, fi-om Jeannie's bed. 

That eve along tlu; porchway lloor, 
I found our minstrel . . . dead! 

The fervor of the angcdic strain 
Ilis lif(!-chords burned a])art. 

And bhiut with sorrow's carthlicr pain, 
Ih'oke the o'crburdcned heart! 

Maiden and bird! the self-sanie grave 
Their wcdthul dust shall keep. 

While the long low Floridian wave 
Moans round their place of sleep! 



THE LITTLE G/l.tX/) DUCHESS. 

What a pure and chastened splendor, 
What a grace of joyancu! tender. 
Like to starlight or to mooidight. 
Melting into fairy ■Inneliglit, 
Sleeps my little, lady sweetly, — 



In the air that answers meetly 
With each soul-illumined feature, 
Which the lovely, winsome creatm'e 
Lifts toward us so demurely. 
That despite their candor, surely 
.Something of an elfish slyness 
.Sparkles 'round their shadowed shyness, 
Though a pose that's sometimes stately, 
(Baby brows thrown back sedately,) 
Charms us by a look that such is, 
.She might be a wee Grand Duchess! 

But anon that aspect changes. 
Through all moods her spirit ranges. 
Free and far as Ariel pinions 
O'er a warlock's weird dominions; 
Happy fields of dim romances: 
Woods wherein an elve-troop dances 
'Xcath a noon of splendid trances, 
C'ulling flowers, or chanting lowly 
.Songs of golden melancholy; 
Or in stretch of wildest dreamings, 
(Holding true their gracious seemings,) 
Wafted into l)lissful vision 
Of some rarer realm Elysian. 

Well I know that mark the y{>arning 
Through her snowy eyelids burning. 
Shadowed by those midnight lashes, 
(Quickly closed when aught abashes, 
And as (piickly flashed asiuider, 
When swift anger lightens under,) 
How supreme the hidden forces 
lUindly struggling at their sources 
In her depths of nascent being: 
Insight, but half-born to seeing. 
Faint perceptions, intuitions, 
And soft-nuu-nuu-ing admonitions, 
Toned and mellowed down so finely 
That their voices Invathe divinely. 

Ha! but see, our dainty fairy 
Freed from thought, or dreamings airy, 
Ail an end)ryo flirt's beguiling. 
Wooes us in her roguish smiling, 
Uippled into silvery laughter. 
With arch glances levelled after, 
Coy, coquettish, gay, capricious 
.Sprite! thy every mood's delicious; 






POEMS FOR CHILD REX. 



Yet amid these spirit-phases 
Whereupon thy jioet gazes. 
There is one that steals above thee; 
Dewy pure from heavens that love thee. 
'Tis not when thy heart is lightest, 
■Tis not when thy glance is brightest, 
But when sober Contemplation 
Near thee takes her pensive station, 
While a strange ecstatic quiet 
Follows on thy childish riot. 

Lo! her trifling fancies vanished, — 
Lo ! her baby bearing banished, 
.She has grown so sweetly earnest 
That I'm sure the harshest, sternest 
Cynic who should chance to meet her. 
Must with fond caresses greet her ! 
Introspective, deep surmising. 
Glow her eyes like moonbeams rising. 
And across her face, where wonder 
Seems with tremulous awe to ponder, 
Smiles a glory, as if angels 
Whispered her their soft evangels I 

So that for the moment losing 
Time and iilace while on her musing, 
One might say, this eerie creature 
Hardly owns oiu- earth-born nature, 
For she's changeling, fay and fairy. 
In a word, all things that vary 
Most in wizard transformations. 
And the round of weird creations ! 



ROLY POLY. 

EoLY Poly's just awakened. 

Wakened in his cosy bed : 
All his dainty ringlets tumbled 

O'er his shoulders, and his head: 
Eoly Poly's cheeks are rounder 

Than a dumpling duly done. 
While they look as rich and ruddy. 

As a freshly-tlawning sim. 

Roly Poly's keen for breakfast; 

Ah ! he stays, he tarries not. 
But as soon as mother's breeched him. 

Pushes for his '• hot and hot " ; 



Such huge sups of oatmeal porridge 

Swallows he at lordly ease. 
That I'm sure in stout digestion, 

He's an infant — Hercules! 

Poly Poly rises briskly 

(When repletion bids him stop), 
Shall he take his kite for Hying, 

Or, go out with cord and top '? 
Not the faintest breeze is blowing, 

So, of course, the top's preferred; 
Eagerly he hastes to spin it. 

Almost flying — like a bird ! 

But unlucky Eoly Poly 

Chooses — since the ground is hard — 
As the fittest place for spinning, 

Mother's well-stocked poultiy-yard ; 
So, what time his mauauoth " huuuuer " 

Circles on its nimble pegs, 
Eoly feels a rearward fometlilnr/ 

Dabbing, stabbing at his legs ! 

Pound he turns in vast amazement, 

Eound, to find erect and free, 
Euflled. ireful, a great gander. 

Quite as tall ('twould seem), as he; 
But brave Poly Poly battles. 

Knight-like, on his sturdy thighs. 
Battles, till the treacherous monster 

Leaves his legs, to smite his eyes! 

Then, must Roly fly affrighted. 

Fly, the sudden wrath beyond. 
Of that ruthless, base aggressor, — 

But to tumble in — a pond ! 
Over head and ears to tumble 
. In a dark, unsavory flood. 
Bubbling, doubling, kicking fiercely, 

Plucking weeds, and grasping mud! 

While — as pitiless fate vould have it — 

Ponto, panting on the run. 
Thinks that Master Eoly Poly "s 

Only sought the pond in fun : 
So, he dashes in, exultant. 

Paws the boy, with bark and boimd, 
And instead of gallant rescue, 

Madlv rolls him roimd and round : — 




"l{i>ly I'lily "s just awakened, 
Wakened in his cosy bed." 



THE IMPRISONED INNOCENTS. 



583 



AVhen a gasping groan and sputU-r 

Prove to Ponto, slnvwd and trnc, 
What is now the sacred duty 

That a faithful dog should do; 
See, he tugs at Holy's trowsers, 

Tugs with steadfast might and main, 
Till he brings our dripping urchin 

Safely to the shore again. 

Ponto's teeth are sharp and potent, 

And impelled l)y need to speed, 
They have m.ide poor Holy I'oly 

In no stinted measure bleed ! 
Therefore, Avith his gory garments, 

And his mud-bespattered knees. 
He is like a dwarfish Sindbad, 

tSorrow-ladeu, by the seas ! 

Oh! to mark our roguish Poly 

'I'lirow his fright and trouble off ! 
How he laughs at dangers vanished. 

With las merriest I)oyish scoff. 
Decked once more in spotless trowsers 

How he makes the household ring: 
Scours and scampers, shouts and dances. 

Domineering like a king. 

Doubt not that at lunch and dinner. 

Fervid is the fork he plies; 
Presto, how the mutton dwindles! 

Gone are sweetmeats; melted pies! 
Not one drop of bygone trouble 

Bitter makes his cup, or can; 
Koly! let us change our places — 

I, the boy ; and you, the man ! 



THE IMPRISONED INNOCENTS. 

[Or tlie Complaiut of a Philosopher of Family !] 

One morning I said to my wife, 
Near the time when the heavens are 

rife 
With the Equinoctial strife, 
" Arabella, the weather looks ugly as sin ! 
Observe, how those mists from the ocean 

begin 
To creep eastward and blend 



With the sickly street vapors fantastic 
and thin; 

So, {iijon't you attend?) keep the chil- 
dren within, 

Safe-housed from these damps of Sep- 
tember ! 

For myself — as I'm studying ' JUirret 

On LrabuKjc'' just now — I'll go up to 
the garret. 

And thus will be barn-d from all noises. 

And tumults of infantile voices! 

(Please listen, my dear! I am speaking, 
I thinic. 

And put down your baby! he'll drink, 
and he'll drink 

Warm tea till he pops!) so again let me 
say, 

Keep the juveniles housed on this treach- 
erous day, 

May I ti'ust you, for oncv, to remem- 
ber?" 

Then, with pain (for my limbs are 
rheumatic), 
I slowly climbed up to the attic; 
And all the 'nnd-stories o'er passed. 
Reached the dismal old garret at last! 
" Now," thought I, " no (echoes of riot 
Can l)reak my philosopher's ((uiet; 
Thank heaven! all luxuries scorning 
Of stuffed coucli or sofa, — I'll settle 
just here — 
(Though perhaps I would like a less im- 
becile chair) 
And be deep in research the whole morn- 
ing!" 

Alack! for all bright expectation! 

While safe, as 1 fancied, from worry. 

For below me I heard, 

Ere my choler was stirred 
First, a faint indefinable flurry. 
Then, a deep roll, and thunder-like 

rund)le, 
With the shock of some terrible tumble. 

Which shook the whole house to its 
basis ! 
In a trice from my foolish elation 

I emerged with the blankest of faces, 



384 



POEMS FOR CHILDREN. 



And, well. I confess as a Christian I erred 
But who, my good sir, or good madam! 
Could have throttled, (just then), the 

"old Adam " ? 
I'm afraid that I muttered a some- 
tin ng 
That ought to have rested a dumb 
thing! 
Yet before your stern censure you 
urge on. 
Bethink you! the same term 's been 

uttered 
Quite roundly, not stammered or stut- 
tered, 
By good men from Edwards to Spur- 
geon ! 
So, pray ilon't confuse me, 
But kindly excuse me, 
If once in a justified passion, 
I followed their clerical fashion, 
(Albeit much modified too!) 
And whispered, not shouted, a d n! 

Of course, to the doorway I scurried. 
And down the old stairs from the 

attic 
(In spite of my twinges rheumatic), 

Incontent hurried! 
Having reached the back parlor, I 

trembled. 
Alack! now. with fear undissembled. 
For Jacky all spattered with gore. 
Lay flabby and flat on the floor! 

A pestilent urchin. 
Who stood much in need of promis- 
cuous ' birchin ' 
AVith his tricks and his manners un- 
stable, 
He had taken to tipping the table, 
(A rickety table, though heavy as lead). 
And succeeded, the mischievous elf! 
In tremendously tipping himself! 
And then the big board like an un- 
loosened rafter, 
Came sundering, blundering, thunder- 
ing after, 
Gave his pert shanks a majestical rap. 
And one fat little thumb. 
Bound as a plum, 



Caught — as in spite. 
And held on to it tight, 
Asa new patent trap ! 
But worst of all, he had thumped his 
head. 
Thumped his head and maltreated his 

nose, 
(Hence, the sanguine stains that dis- 
figured his clothes!) 
And yet after all the ado. 
We managed to rescue, and bring him 
to, 
On his pipe-like pegs 
Of ridiculous legs. 
To set him up in the general visw, 
No longer flecked by a crimson hue, 
But, a trifle black and a trifle blue ! 

Behold me, once more in the garret ! 

This time with the door barred fast, 
And locked by a rusty key, 

(As if one could banish trouble. 

By making one's fastenings double! 

"Here's peace," quoth I, "at last! 
One row. and a row of such degree, 

Is surely enough 'till twilight! " 
And so, 'neath the garret sky-light. 

Again I pored o'er my " Barret" 
(" Barret on Drainage," I've said). 

With calmer nerves and a cooler head; 
Determined to compass the topic. 

In a mode most philosophic. 

And launching a sudden shot, 

Lightning-swift, and fiery hot. 
Through an article terse and satirical, 

Those foolish savants to bring down, 
Who with theories basely empirical. 

Had so startled and shocked the 
town ! 

Ah ! soon in order beautiful, 
To a masterly logic dutiful, 
My thoughts were ranged for fight; 
I was making here and there, 
A note on the fly-leaves bare, 
When horribly higher and higher^ 
Uprose the shout of " Fire ! " 
In a monstrous dumb affright, 
I hardly walketl, but fell. 



THE IMPRISONED INNOCENTS. 



385 



(As it seemed), from the garret's 
height, 
(Tliougli how, I could never tell!) 

I alighted heneath to find 

In the parlor a spark half out. 

Which the feeblest puff of wind 

From the chimney had blown about 

But the children still would shout, 
And dance, and prance, and bellow, 

In a deafening, deraonish rout, 
While as for their mother, low and limp, 

She lay, in a faint, by the opened 
door, 
With her eighteenth-mouther, a restless 
imp, 
Drawing and pawing o"er and o'er 
The folds of her rumpled dress ! 
Somebody in years gone by. 
Had pronounced her fainting pose 
The ne plus ultra of loveliness. 

As she lay like a sweet white rose; 
But now! perchance, perchance, 
I iiave lost my young romance, 
For, unadmiring quite, 
I gazed on the touching sight, 
And (I'm a brute no doubt!) 
But I let the syren lie. 

Ah me, the vexations, 
Exasperations, 
And tribulations, 
Confusions, 
Obtrusions, 
And endless affrays. 
Which marked with dark tracing that 
blackest of days ! 
Don't tell me that children are angels. 
All fraught with pure heaven's evan- 
gels, 
And trailing — what is it! — from 

some mystic star 
Bright cloudlets of glory. I know 
what mine are, 
Not a whit worse I'm sure than the rest 
of young " fry," 
Whose natures are thoughtless and 

spirits are high ; 
But as for your "angels!" all that's 
" in my eye! " 



To enter again 
On that morning of pain : 
I should wretchedly blunder 
In counting the number 
Of times 1 was harried 
(My thoughts all miscarried!) 
By yells of shrill laughter 
Or dread cries thereafter. 
By accidents seen or invisil)lc, 
And mishaps high tragic, or risi- 
ble; 
Young Tommy three window-panes 

shattered, 
And, of course, cut his head in the proc- 
ess, 
And an old silver heir-loom 
That oft held the rare bloom 
Of vintages mellow and lusciously 

fine 
From the banks of Moselle or the banks 

of the Khine, 
A tankard four centuries old and uo 
less, 
By wee Janet was battered, 
Disgraced, 
And defaced. 
Till the Bacchus Cellini had graven there- 
on. 
Was broken and wan. 
And the sweej) of the vine, and the cui-ve 

of the grape. 
Were twisted hopelessly out of shape. 

Then Harry fell down in the cistern! 

With yells to be heard for a mile. 
And in striving to fish him out, 
(For the boy is portly, puffy, and stout) 
Back would he slip, and slip, and 
slip, 
E'en from the cistern's utmost lip, 
Until with a wrench swift-handed, 
The luunan gudgeon was landed. 
Who made with a ghastly smile 
The half-inarticulate pledge. 
That never more would he tempt the 
edge 
Of well or cistern, fount or river. 
Although upon earth he should dwell 
forever! 



386 



POEMS FOR CHILDREN. 



And lastly, Cornelia, aged five, 


What is the moral of this, my masters ? 


(I marvel the child is still alive! 


(To you that are fathers, I mean, 


Contrived in the subtlest, deftest way, 


Fathers, and students as well ?) 


From the sm-gery shelf, to steal, in 


Tis easy enough to tell), 


play, 


Would you 'scape all household disas- 


A box of my pills cathartic ; 


ters ? 


Enough (if swallowed at once) to slay 


And be cosy, sweet-tempered, serene ? 


A bear of the regions Arctic ! 


Then never, never, never, 


How many she took I cannot say. 


Make the absurd endeavor, 


But thereafter for many and many a day, 


Because the sky's not bluish 


Supine the suffering maiden lay, 


And the wind seems somewhat shrew- 


And 1 scarce believe that her blood has 


ish. 


set 


To pen a young regiment in, 


To the shore of health that is perfect, yet ! 


Of heirs to Adam's sin! 



Boston Stereotype Foundi-y, 4 Pearl f^treet. 



LEJe'08 



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